Nerve damage after a dog bite?

Bmart,

Yes, it sounds like you have some injury to the digital nerve.

You have two digital nerves in each finger. They run up both sides of the finger, giving off tiny nerve branches along the way, going both dorsal (top) and volar (palmar), and in the midline, they overlap just a little.


So, when you were bitten, the injury probably bruised one nerve (which has awakened), but the other one was damaged more significantly.

The feeling you are getting ("like hitting a nerve") is exactly that. When injured, the nerve forms what is called a neuroma. Then when a neuroma is tapped, it can feel like an electrical shock or tingling. This is called a Tinel's sign, which is a sign of nerve irritation or regeneration.


A problem is, that the nerve at that level of the finger is pretty small, and it trifurcates (splits into three branches) at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) (the furthest joint out).

Usually, when a digital nerve is injured, it is recommended that it be repaired. Not necessarily to get the sensation to come back, though that is what the hand surgeon will tell you is the reason, it is mostly so the nerve will not form a neuroma. Repaired nerves do regain some sensation, but it is rarely normal, though it is protective. At the level of the DIPJ, it MAY be possible to repair the digital nerve, if it has not trifurcated yet. But, the neuroma may be able to be taken out. This will require the use of the surgical microscope.


If the finger is really bothering you, then you should see a Hand Surgeon, trained in microvascular surgery.

Good luck.