United Brachial Plexus Network

Has anyone had any experience with tendon tranfer for more hand function for their kids? How much function did this give their child? Was it a hard recovery period? Did they loose any movement?

Katie had tendon transfers on Sept. 16 at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. I was assured that she wouldn't lose any movement but it may take a little time to gain it back. Katie is to be in a cast for 6 weeks, then a splint for 6 months at night as well as have intensive therapy upon removal of the cast. Unfortunately, Katie is still in her cast so I can't say just yet how much function she has gained. I would however be equally curious to hear about other people's experiences with tendon transfers and what I can expect in the upcoming months. Thanks!
Best wishes momofnickelman!

Cheri, Mom to Katie, 3, LOBPI

Just moving this back to the top. Any thoughts yet anyone??


Cheri

I guess no one wants to share. Thanks for your input Katiesmom. Good luck and I hope Katie does well.

Hi, Georgeann. We don't have experience with this surgery yet, but likely will at some point. I wanted to share the link for a website that Amy who posts here setup. She's grown up and in college now, but had tendon transfers as a 6 y.o. child. The surgery was for more hand function. She also underwent a revision of the procedure a few months ago. I'm sure Amy would be glad to help you. She's a very sweet girl with a great attitude. We were able to spend some time with her at camp last month. Anyway, here's a link to the current journal on her website: http://www.freewebs.com/bpimn/currentjournal.htm Also, her e-mail is: hope16_05@hotmail.com.

Do you have surgery scheduled? How old is your child? I'll be anxious to here more about it as we'll prob. be looking at this in a year or so.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net, Mom to Nicole (6 1/2 y.o. w/LOBPI) & Joshua (1 1/2 y.o. w/NOBPI)

Hi, Cheri. I'm surprised to read that your daughter had this surgery done at 3 y.o. Dr. Nath and Dr. Waters both felt that at 6 y.o. Nicole was still too young to have this surgery done and that we should wait 1-2 years to have it done. It seemed like the delay was more due to the intensive post-op therapy that would be involved and the recommended maturity level of the child. I'll be curious to know how it works out if you don't mind posting or e-mailing me. Thanks.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net, Mom to Nicole (6 1/2 y.o. w/LOBPI) & Joshua (1 1/2 y.o. w/NOBPI)

Georgeann,
Rain had tendon transfers done this past June. She was in a splint for over 12 weeks. The recovery was not to bad really. She was just very tired of wearing the splint around the clock. Honestly though, she has not gained any function yet. It might just be that it is to early to tell. She might need additional transfers in the very near future. She had a nerve conduction study done last week, and the results were not as positive as we would have liked, but I am hopeful that we should see some results from the surgery soon. The only thing that I have to complain about regarding this surgery is the scar. It has left a very unattractive scar on the upper portion of her forearm (longer than normal), but I try not to say anything about it because it doesn't seem to bother her very much. All in all the surgery was not difficult and the recovering went very well. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

DeShawn

Thank you so much Tina! Amy is an amazing! I see some of her attitude/traits in my son already as he finds his own way to do things. He has such a will to do everything all the "other" kids do. My son is 4 1/2 and has had 5 surgeries so far. Keep in mind he has a very severe injury but is doing more than anyone has ever thought he would ever do. I always like to look ahead at what surgery may be suggested in his future and be informed. Someday when he is older I want him to know that I have done everything humanly possible for him and left no stone unturned!

Hello. I was surprised to hear of all your children's ages. My daugter turns 2 on November 25. We have our next checkup at Shriners on November 18, and she is supposed to have the tendon surgury in the Spring. I was told that between 2 and 3 years was good for her to get it done. What was the reason they told you to wait for another couple of years? Just curious...maybe I will ask the Dr. about it and wait as well.

Cathy,

I think the posters are speaking of tendon transfers in the hand/forearm. My understanding of those is that the child needs to be older in order to actively participate in therapy and rehab after the surgery. The surgery you are referring to is tendon transfers for the shoulder, and they are typically done at 2-3 years of age. The child doesn't need to mentally understand to rehab from those; simple encouragement and directed play works in that case.

Kate