United Brachial Plexus Network

I am 10 years old. I am about to have Humeral Osteotomy Surgery. I want to know what effect this surgery has and if it has helped anyone of you that has had it.

Hi Katlyn,

I'm so glad that you posted on the message board and are asking questions. I can tell you what I know about this surgery because I learned a lot about it for my own daughter, Maia, who is also 10 years old.

The way I explained it to Maia is that the doctor will turn her bone so that she has better function and less pressure on her shoulder (Maia has pain in her shoulder). When they turn the bone, the muscles in the arm turn also and that may help the arm function better, too.

Many parents emailed me about it and told me that it was one of the easiest surgeries their child had when compared to the other kinds of surgeries. Some kids stay in the hospital overnight and some kids leave a few hours later. Some doctors put a cast on and some doctors put a protective splint on. Each doctor has his own "best way" of doing this surgery.

I know someone who was 18 and had it done and she was really happy and her results were really good. I met her before her surgery and met her after her surgery and checked in with her a few times since (she is now 21) and she was really happy about it the last time I talked to her. But I have to tell that since nobody's arms are the same and nobody's injury is the same, the best way for you to learn more about your surgery and what it will do for you is to ask your doctor yourself BEFORE you have the surgery.

Katlyn, ask your doctor ANY question you may have about it and remember that there are no silly questions at all - even if you want to know what kind of food they will give you at the hospital!

One really important thing to do is to let your doctor know what kinds of activities you love to do. This will help him figure out how much he has to turn the bone so that you can continue to do your activities. So if you play piano or play baseball or basketball or love to paint - whatever it is that you love - tell him so that he knows.

Ask him if you are getting a cast or just a splint or a bandage. Ask him where the incision is going to be and how big it will be. Ask him if you're going to have pain and if you do, what will they do for that. Ask him if you'll have to stop doing activities and if so, which activities will you have to stop and for how long? Ask him what kind of therapy you will need to have afterwards and for how long.

These are just some examples of the things you might want to ask him. I'm sure your doctor will be very happy to answer all of your questions and by you having these answers you will hopefuly feel much better about things.

Do you like music? Do you have an Ipod or an MP3 player of any kind? You may want to bring that with you. Sometimes music helps you feel better. Also, if you are really nervous about having surgery, you can ask the doctor if he can give you some (what Maia and I call) "silly juice" before you have the surgery, so you are not feeling too anxious.

I hope my post has helped you a little bit and I wish you a lot of luck with your surgery. If you let us know when your surgery is, Maia and I will keep you in our thoughts that day. And we would love to see your before and after pictures.

Good luck!

Francine & Maia
you can see pictures of Maia here: www.injurednewborn.com/maia8
and you can see Maia on some youtube videos at http://www.youtube.com/franlitz

if you want to, you can email Maia at my email address: francine@litzfamily.com

Hi my name is Hope I have BP also please e mail me I have been trying to find friends who are like me I would like to talk to you my e mail is Angel Hope 08 @aol.com or you can use my grandma e mail Look foward to hearing from you
Hope

Thank you for responding. Your information is very helpful. My parents and I will make a list of questions to ask the doctor.

Good luck Katlyn!
-francine