## Overview Peroneal (fibular) nerve paralysis affects the nerve that runs over the outside of the stifle. Injury, often from prolonged lateral recumbency on a hard surface, causes knuckling of the fetlock, dragging of the toe, and inability to flex the hock and extend the digit. A characteristic goose-stepping gait may be seen during recovery. ## Causes Compression during anesthesia or recumbency, or direct trauma. ## Diagnosis Characteristic gait and neurologic examination. The horse cannot extend the digit or flex the hock properly. ## Treatment Supportive care, protection of the dorsum of the fetlock, and time. Most compressive injuries improve over days to weeks. Physical therapy helps. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for compressive injuries if secondary trauma to the limb is prevented. Complete severance has a poorer outlook. ## Prevention Adequate padding during anesthesia and recumbency.
knuckling of the fetlock; dorsal hoof dragging; inability to flex the hock and extend the digit; goose-stepping gait during recovery
## Overview Peroneal (fibular) nerve paralysis affects the nerve that runs over the outside of the stifle. Injury, often from prolonged lateral recumbency on a hard surface, causes knuckling of the fetlock, dragging of the toe, and inability to flex the hock and extend the digit. A characteristic goose-stepping gait may be seen during recovery. ## Causes Compression during anesthesia or recumbency, or direct trauma. ## Diagnosis Characteristic gait and neurologic examination. The horse cannot extend the digit or flex the hock properly. ## Treatment Supportive care, protection of the dorsum of the fetlock, and time. Most compressive injuries improve over days to weeks. Physical therapy helps. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for compressive injuries if secondary trauma to the limb is prevented. Complete severance has a poorer outlook. ## Prevention Adequate padding during anesthesia and recumbency.
knuckling of the fetlock; dorsal hoof dragging; inability to flex the hock and extend the digit; goose-stepping gait during recovery