United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Ok, my son had an accident on 11/2/05. He has no pain. The hand and wrist are fully functional, but a little weak. EMG showed only one nerve firing in the bicept. Abnormalities in many of the nerves. MRI of the spine showed slight bulging of 5 and 6 nerves. No avulsions. MRI of the BP showed 4/5,5/6 and 7 were partially ripped. Also he called it avulsed near root ends but not at the spine. Heading to Mayo on March 14 and 15. Anyone with similar injuries? Also what do we expect in these first 2 visits to the Mayo. Hoping it is surgery, but I doubt it. Thinking that we will have to return for that. One last thing any recommendations on where to stay while we are there?

Hi Sue, and "welcome to the club nobody wants to join". You'll find a LOT of support on these pages. I'm so pleased you've chosen Mayo - I really don't think you can do better. What I expect will happen those first two days is a battery of diagnostic tests and by the second day the results will be written up & the team (Drs Bishop, Spinner, Shin) will meet with you to discuss findings & options. I can't remember if they meet at the beginning of the first day - but I think you'll have already been scheduled for anticipated tests before you even arrive.

The word has gotten out about how good Mayo is, so most likely you'll have to return later for the surgery if that's indicated. They're pretty booked up these days.

The below thread (found on page 2 of these boards) addresses a lot of your questions about where to stay in Rochester MN. Keep asking questions if you need more information. The name of the thread is "Mayo info please"

http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... read=13931

Take care & keep us posted.

Ellen

Yup, first 2 days is all tests. !st day will be Emg and MRI. The begining of the 2nd day is when you meet the team. 3rd day may be surgery if they deem necessary.

Everything flows smoothly. No long waits for your appointments. Everything is close by. I found a lil grocery store on 6th. (not sure if it's ave or st).

Hi Sue,
My son Chase(age 8, LTBPI), was in a dirtbike 03/05 and had surgery in June. We'll be at Mayo at the same time you will. Your son is likely much older, and we're not looking to have surgery, but we'll be there to meet the BPI team, have an EMG and meet w/their hand therapist. We arrive 3/12 and depart 3/15. Good luck!
Lourdes

Hi Lourdes,
Yes Dustin is 18. His first appt is 7 am on the 14th. We will be arriving on the 13th. We have made reservations at the Kahler since it was close. Seemed to be about mid priced and Ellen I think said it was a nice place. We will leave after his appt on the 15th, I suppose. Drs here feel he will need surgery. But now we seem to see the bicept flexing and he has more movement all be it very small.

results for any one after this type of injury, and surgery.

Hi Sue,

I'm glad Kahler Economy Inn worked out for you. Like I wrote, it's an older facility but very clean. Let me know if you have any questions as you get closer to your departure date.

Re Dustin getting some degree of movement in his bicep, that is wonderful! The good news is that Mayo won't do anything more than is necessary - might be that they just need to clear out some scar tissue so natural healing can take place.

btw, my son John is now 18 so if Dustin is interested in talking to somebody his age who has been there, literally, John would be fine with that. His injury was three years ago & it might help Dustin to see that this will all be behind him at some point! Drop a note to my email LNBram@bellsouth.net if that's of interest.

Take care,

Ellen

any results for anyone with this type of injury after surgery?

what types of muscle stimulaters are people using, and how often?

Dustin hasn't had surgery yet. Muscle stimulators weren't working on the bicept so we are doing excercises. Most of the muscles are increasing in strength. We have even developed some of our own therapy tools to over come gravity.