United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anyone had surgery and then suffered brachial plexus nerve damage as a result of a nerve block. I had elbow surgery and now have nerve damage in my shoulder that radiates to my hand.

Hi Jim, sorry to hear about your nerve injury. Damage to the nerves can happen after a nerve block, you should get this checked out asap. What does your surgeon have to say about this? Hope things improve soon :0)

Yes, I had shoulder surgery nearly 8 weeks ago, and after my arm came out of the block, I was left with a paralyzed hand. I found this web site, and it was pretty much the only place I found hope and information.

I ended up seeing a Physical Medicine Specialist who gave me the EMG, which helped determine the condition of my nerves. She could not determine whether it was caused by the block or perhaps from the nerve being stretched while my arm was in traction for the arthroscopic portion.

I could feel heat and cold, but not touch. (Median nerve) I had weird sensations that I described as crawly feelings under the skin, sometimes fizzy like bubbles, sometimes like pressure. Jenny B said that was a good sign. It was. Luckily, I did not experience any severe pain.

Now I'm in hand occupational therapy. The numbness is going away and the fingers that could not curl are starting to bend, and my therapist says I will make a complete recovery. Perhaps the folks on this web site can recommend which type of doctor you should see.

I hope my story is close enough to yours to give you some encouragement.
Gail

I posted a reply, but it seems to have gone into a black hole. So I'll try again.

I had shoulder surgery with BP nerve block nearly 8 weeks ago. The arm came out of it, but the hand was a noodle. The doctors all scratched their heads. It was the people at this web site that gave me hope and information.

I felt crawly, fizzy feelings under the skin, and pressure (luckily no pain) and Jenny B and others told me that was a good sign. It was.

I saw a Physical Medicine specialist who gave me an EMG. While she couldn't determine if the BP injury was caused by the block or the stretching of the nerve during the arthroscopic portion of the surgery, she did say I should never let anyone give me a block again! She also said it was healing, and she was pleased with what the EMG showed. That was 12 days after the surgery.

Now I'm in occupational therapy for my hand. My thumb, index and middle fingers are still numb, and I can't curl my index finger or thumb. I feel heat, cold, & scratchy things. They've all gotten stronger, and my therapist says I'll make a complete recovery - and pretty soon.

I know how scary this is. Maybe someone here can recommend what type of doctor you should see. I'm guessing your injuy and mine are similar. It takes time for nerves to heal, but as long as your arm is just recovering from the anesthesia or from a "stretch" injury, you can probably expect recovery over the next 2-3 months.

I hope my story helps you with yours. Good luck!
Gail

Wow am I glad to here I'm not the only one. Had partial shoulder replacement for the second time and had block this time. Hand won't wake up. A little better than 3 weeks ago but I have been terrified that it may be permanent. DR says to wait and see it should get better.

Stephanie - I would like to know what happened.

I had arthroscopic elbow surgery, and now my fingers have numbness. My doc says just wait and see, but I am concerned, and I wish i knew more about liklihood of normalcy.

Hi Joshua
I see Stephanie's post was written some time ago, it might be better to try contacting her by clicking on her najme which will bring up her email contact details.
Goos luck :0) Jen NZ

ok. I'm wondering if you might know where else i could get anecdotal information about nerve trauma following arthroscopic surgery and post surgery resolution probabilities?

Jennyb:

Thnaks. I'm wondering if you know where else I might obtain anecdotal evidence/info on the liklihood of resolution of nerve trauma after a nerve block for arthroscopic surgery?