United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

i haven't had a chance to call her therapist yet, but need some suggestions. my daughter's, almost 2, left arm is growing shorter than her right. can i do anything to help it from getting worse and maybe possibly grow to catch up with her other arm?

Can anyone shed some light here for Amanda's mommy?? THanks guys!

COurt

Unfortunately, the BPI arm does tend to grow shorter. Mine is about 1 1/2 inches shorter and I know of other adults that have larger length differences. I'd certainly ask your BPI doctor and therapist about what to expect. Keep up with the PT though, at the clinic and especially at home. I believe the PT I had as a child and youth was a significant factor in the recovery I have made.

John P.
ROBPI

Hey!
I was always told that the more you use that arm the more it will grow. Our therapist suggested climbing stairs on all fours, going thru tunnels, (found at Toys R us) climbing UP slides, helping them do the monkey bars while you support her just in case.. Basically anything you can think of to strengthen the arm up will help - that is what every doctor and therapist have told me - keep that arm active. Play catch with a huge big ball thrown over head if she can, play games that you need to crawl around, (let her hit you over the head with pots on your head as long as she uses her injured arm (LOL - flashback!!) Just keep that arm moving.
Hope I helped somehow,
Christy

Thanks, Court, for bumping this. I'd read it one night and was too tired to reply then forgot about it the next day and couldn't find it when I was looking for it another day.

Christine, sorry to be so late in replying. John and Christy gave you some good info., not sure how much more I can add. The way it was explained to us is that muscle movement stimulates bone growth. So, the more the muscle is moved or stimulated, the more not only the muscle, but also the bone will grow. In addition to using the arm as much as possible and doing weight-bearing exercises / activities, another thing you might consider is estim (TES - nighttime stim). It's something to discuss with your BPI specialist anyway.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net, Mom to Nicole (6 y.o. w/LOPBI) & Joshua (1 y.o. w/NOBPI)