Peripheral nerve injury.

Inadequate peripheral nerve regeneration as a result of trauma contributes greatly to the morbidity of surgical patients. Animals admitted as an emergency often have concurrent orthopaedic injuries that impair mobility and may mask peripheral nerve dysfunction if a thorough neurological examination is not performed. This article reviews the pertinent anatomy of the peripheral nervous system as well as the degenerative and regenerative responses that occur in traumatized nerves. Physical examination and electrodiagnostic techniques that characterize the extent of nerve impairment are described. The management of peripheral nerve lacerations for open and closed wounds is detailed, as well as the presenting clinical signs and prognosis for brachial plexus avulsions, sciatic nerve damage, and sacrococcygeal injury.