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Can A Dog Bite In The Muscle Above Elbow Cause Median Nerve Damage?
Question: Regarding my son who is 28 years old: A dog bite in the muscle above the elbow has affected the median nerve so that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers will not move properly and are extremely painful. ER doctor said it is impossible that the dog bite caused this. Neurologist said we have to wait 12 days to do an EMG. The pain is getting worse and my son can not take pain medication because he is a recovering drug addict. He is devastated because he thinks he may be crippled for life. Is it possible that more damage is being caused by not doing anything now? And is a neurologist the type of doctor that he should be seeing? Any suggestions for what we should be doing now?
Brief Answer:
Wait for nerve conduction, consult neurologist and plastic surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
There is possibility of median nerve damage if the bite lead to tearing of nerve at elbow as it runs in front of elbow.
The pain may be due to injury.
Is there any possibility of rabies? Was the dog vaccinated? Status of dog alive or death?
The nerve conduction study will be fruitful after 10- 14 days as changes evident on Ncv takes this much time.
The administration of pain killers or pain modulator drugs like amitryptiline or gabapentin or pregabalin can be tried.
Antirabies drug should be administered if dog suspected of rabies.
The management of nerve injury is to get it repaired if not recovering. You can consult a plastic surgeon for operation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Wait for nerve conduction, consult neurologist and plastic surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
There is possibility of median nerve damage if the bite lead to tearing of nerve at elbow as it runs in front of elbow.
The pain may be due to injury.
Is there any possibility of rabies? Was the dog vaccinated? Status of dog alive or death?
The nerve conduction study will be fruitful after 10- 14 days as changes evident on Ncv takes this much time.
The administration of pain killers or pain modulator drugs like amitryptiline or gabapentin or pregabalin can be tried.
Antirabies drug should be administered if dog suspected of rabies.
The management of nerve injury is to get it repaired if not recovering. You can consult a plastic surgeon for operation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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