How to ID and Treat Sprains, Carpal Hyperextension, and common Wrist Injuries

Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces.  Today let’s talk about signs that your dog has a wrist injury, sprain, or carpal hyperextension.  First off, a sprain can sometimes be much more painful initially than other injuries.  There can be swelling or redness, bruising, swollen paws, lameness, sensitive to the touch, general discomfort, and of course getting more cranky with mom and dad. 

If you dog has begun showing signs of guarding a leg, or more irritable with people they normally love to be around, it may be time to have things checked out.  Sometimes a splint or a brace is needed to help with pain and stopping movement of a joint to allow healing.

Common Wrist Injuries

Sometimes damage to a joint can be mild, like a stretch or strain, but they can also be completely torn.  This can happen with carpal hyperextension.  Our ligaments are made of lots of little collagen fibers.  Some breeds are predisposed to these fibers becoming brittle, like with degenerative joint disease, and breaking easy.  Over time the more fibers that break, the more hyperextended we see the wrist become.  Normally a dog should stand with a straight and upright front legs, ending at the paw. 

Hyperextension makes it look like they are flatfooted, similar to a duck.  Luckily we do have a brace to fix this issue, and help these patients get back into normal activities!  Ask about our Posh Carpal braces.

Injuries can also cause wrist issues, such as allowing your dog to jump from high places.  One of the most common is decking and vehicles.  Jumping out of the back of a high pickup truck seems harmless, however, one wrong move and that wrist is toast.  Think about if you jumped off a 6ft fence and landed over and over on your front legs.  Eventually something will give or get injured. 

We can also see fractures from this, or dislocations.  Remember, our furry friends are just as able to be injured as we are, and it is our job to help protect them from themselves sometimes.  Grabbing their harness to help them down the steps, car, deck, ect can save you thousands on injuries.

Again please let me know if you have any questions! Contact us via our contact page or visit our Facebook Page.