United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son Justin (6 yrs) had surgery done at TCH 1/22/02. He had bicep tendon lengthening, pectoralis release and capsuledisis. He was a trooper and we are so proud of him. He will be getting his splint off on Monday and we are all a little nervous. He actually said he didn't want it taken off because he was afraid it would hurt him. I guess it became security for him. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Keep us in your thoughts and sending best wishes to all of you!

My son was very nervous about taking his splint off after the mod quad. I think you're right about it becoming a kind of security for them. My only advice is to take it slow, he'll come around gradually. I think some people have taken the splints off in a nice warm pool, that might be an idea if you have one available to you. Let us know how he does!

Christine,
hi

He may not have the same issues as Maia but when we took Maia's capsulodesis splint off her arm was just completely limp. I think it was from having the splint on for 8 weeks - longer time to atrophy. It was VERY painful - it was psychically painful. She was scared to go to the pool to do it - I guess she wanted privacy? But we got into the bathtub and I put warm compresses on her arm. We only had it off for minutes at a time the first few days..it took 2 weeks I think to have it off a few hours.

Give him tylenol first (or whatever you use) and go into the tub or pool. Or I would suggest he lay down - take the splint off and just bring the arm down (to his side) and then slowly help him come up.

Your son's desplinting might go much better than Maia's so I hope I'm not making you scared.

I think it's important to let him know that you are there for him, that he has access to tylenol when he needs it and that there's no rush to keeping it off - he can do as it slowly as he needs to and to not expect too much at first.... his arm might not be able to do too much at all...and yet he might be way better.

Good luck,
francine

Cristine-
My daughter had the Capsulodesis and pec release on 11/26/01 we are almost done with the second eight weeks. She did great when we took the splint off. I was very scared about it and it turned out to be for nothing. We took her splint off and put her right in the pool. I held her arm in the splint position until she was in the water. I let go of it and she started moving it a little in the water. She did great. We stayed in the water for about 1 1/2 hours. When we got out of the pool I dried her off and went to put her brace on and she said "no mom I don't want to wear my Brace!" I was afraid she was over doing it. But she did great the next day too. She has only been wearing it at night since. This is quite different from the Mod Quad. It took us over a week to get it off for the whole day. Hope this helps! Good Luck !!! Jodi

Hey there. My daughter is 6 also and we took our splint off 8 weeks ago for the day time...then she wore it at night for 8 weeks..she was a trooper..I let her do it...but of course by the end of 8 weeks she could take unloose the straps herself. Didn't want any help. The pool was great for her also. It's nice to see her sleep without that thing now.
Jana

Christine,
Our daughter Caroline, 6 1/2, just took her split off 3/8/02 (she has been in the dynamic splint - pronator teres surgery and caps surgery) and we went to the pool at the college I work in and had the whole weekend before going back to school! She was so excited to see she could still swim and didn't have any pain. By the end of the day her arm was down by her side and she was great. She hasn't given us any problems putting it on at night and we have 6 weeks left to go.
I think once they take it off they see it is okay and that unknown factor or fear subsides. We spent the last 6 nights in the pool and it has been wonderful. If you don't have access to a pool even the bathtub is a good place. Good luck to you all!
Kathy Reilly