United Brachial Plexus Network

Hi, I'm new here, my son was injured in an atv accident back in Aug of 08. We are being told to do different things so we are confused the specialist that did the emg said there is slight improvement and to hold off on surgery, The other 2 specialist that he has have told him within the next 2 to 3 months he should have surgery, he's diagonised with upper trunk BP he injured nerve c6 also some doctors said he stretched the nerve and others have said it's injured but not completely torn away. he has use of his forearm and hand but cannot feel or use his bicep or raise his arm. One main question I'm wondering is: If after having the surgery the nerves are repaired will he have alot of pain?? Also he has atrophy in his shoulder and bicep muscles can that be repaired??

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Also they are talking about a specialist in Missouri, I don't know the name only that she is a woman. We are to find out more about her but there has been so many options and doctors since this has all happened. Just wondering if any one here has gone to a woman specialist in Miissouri?


Thanks so Much,

Cindy

Probably talking about Susan McKinnon at St. Louis?


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument

here is an old post where people talk about her:

In 1993, Dr. Susan McKinnon performed the world's first successful nerve transplant on a 12-year-old boy.


http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... 030#207030


Message was edited by: richinma2005

Cindy,
Time is of the essence with brachial plexus injuries and performing surgery on the nerves. Make sure you see a specialist who deals specifically with traumatic brachial plexus injuries. They can tell best if surgery is indicated or not. Please don't wait around - tbpi surgeons like to do surgery within 6 months of the injury! Sue

Cindy,
Sorry to hear of your sons accident.
I agree with Sue, you need to have your son seen by a BPI specialist. If they decide to do nerve transfers they like to have them done within 6 mos post accident. Other drs do not have the expertise in this area that is needed.
Yes all this is mind boggeling in the beginning but you have definatley found the right place for answers and support. Everyone here has gone through the same things you are. Ask anything. You will soon be an expert.

As far as atrophy, e-stim may help. He should be seeing an OT or PT for excersizes and stretches.
Sue

Thank you for your quick responses. So then for the most part, surgery is helpful and I guess the pain doesn't get worse!? As of right now his pain isn't too bad. I would just hate to see him have the surgery with little improvement and Alot more pain. He has pain in his neck because he broke 4 vertabraes c5,c6,t1 and t2. They were stable fractures so it could have been much worse. Also he broke his left clavical, that was a very bad fracture, it was so displaced that he had to have a plate and 6 screws put in. When he hit the tree he took the impact on his left shoulder area. If we just knew if he would heal on his own but then again if all of us knew that we wouldn't be here. So it's very important to have surgery within 6 months, We are supposed to hear from our doctor soon about the dr. in Mis. Its a 13 hr. trip for us but I guess after meeting with her we would know a whole lot more. Sorry about rambling, It's like I'm thinking out loud!! he, he

Thanks again everyone!!


Cindy

Hi Cindy,
i think emgs, mri's and the like can only give indications, but not definitive answers, this can only be done i believe with exploratory surgery. i had my surgery within the 3 months after my accident.
my c5 c6 were mostly affected, i too have a plate and screws in my left clavicle.
it has worked for my bicep and brachiallis...as they have now motion.
i am about to go into surgery for my shoulder on the 21st of this month.
i think if there is a chance..even a little one..we have to go for it

Cindy,
My daughter had avulsions of all 5 brachial plexus nerves and had nerve and muscle transfers. The surgery has given her some arm movement but did not increase the pain. In fact, the pain seems to be a little less after the surgeries. But then again, it may be that she has learned to live and deal with the pain. Sue