United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My left arm is affected by Erb's palsy and much shorter than my right. I'm not interested in surgery, but have any of you used splints, braces, or had therapy to approve the appearance of your affected arm by making the affected arm look more normal?

It depends on what you want to do to look more normal. I read that your left arm is much shorter than your right. I am unaware of any non-surgical way to significantly lenngthen an arm. Surgically I know tendon/muscle release in the shoulder muscles can sometimes increase arm length
I know that some kids and adults will do serial casting to imppove a contracture at the elbow(elbow is stuck in a bent position) and have had success. Its aim is to reduce a bent posture at the elbow.
Of course when in doubt you could see a BPI specialist Dr.(if you have not already seen one) Good luck!
Becky

I use splints and therapy mainly to increase function and not so much for appearance as I could care less what others think. By gaining function, I have also gained a more "normal" appearance. But again, I use my splints and hterapy for functionality not for cosmetic reasons
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN