United Brachial Plexus Network

Hi- This is my first post. I was in a very bad motorcycle crash last September and suffered multiple orthopedic injuries, as well as severe stretch damage to C5-C6 roots. I lost elbow flexion and shoulder rotation/abduction. All injuries were to my right side. My hand is quasi-normal (weaker since nerve transfer surgery) as is my tricep. My forearm is also OK, but cannot rotate fully, but that is unrealted to BPI. I had nerve transfer surgery done at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Mar 20 (6 months to the day after my injury). Ulnar/Median to musculateneous, spinal accessory to axillary and tricep to suprascapular (I think that's right). I am now 6 weeks post-op and was just curious from others how long before you started to see some fibrillation? Dr. Wolfe (HSS) told me anywhere from 2-4 months, but wanted to talk to some other patients on their experiences and what lies ahead for me as part of the recovery process.

Sorry for the long post. I have no one to talk to about this.

Frank

Hello Frank. Sorry you've had no one to talk to but you have come to the right sight. I was also in a terrible motorcycle crash last year (at the end of July.) I too suffered multiple injuries (the details are on previous posts but basically I almost died).
You might think this sounds strange but you are actually lucky to have somewhat normal arm and hand movement. I lost basically all movement in my right arm and the bicep was shredded when the bone broke through. The more you start with, the better chance you have of regaining usable function.
Everyone recovers different but I think the fact that you already have movement can only help. I noticed I had the slightest of twitches in my middle finger (hee hee) almost immediately after nerve transfer surgery. Working the muscles in your arm/hand as much as possible, even if it'd just simple flexing, is what will help you the most. Have you noticed any differences yet since surgery?
How have you recovered from your other injuries? (I'm still getting patchred up) I'd be glad to try and answer any questions you've got.

Frank,

Welcome to the 'nut farm' as we say from time to time! I am sorry to hear about your injury. Mine is from an auto accident 8 years ago!

Nerves grow at a max of an inch a month. They need some time to re-grow the length of your arm. It is frustrating but it takes time. Try to be patient!

We are here and have been through it, some longer than others. Feel free to ask away!

Courtney

Thanks for your responses. My right hand is pretty good. I have numbness in my thumb and a little bit in my index finger. The strength has decreased since the surgery, but I'm building that back up. Same for my forearm (I broke my ulnar, so I have a plate and 7 screws in that).

Haven't noticed anything in my bicep/shoulder since surgery. Trying to be patient. ) I've lost a lot of mass in my scapula region, though my lats are fine as is my tricep. Can't wait for the green light to start lifting again. My doctor is not having me do any PT, other than some range of motion stretching, until after I see him in June (3 months post-op). Is that typical? Would it be bad to lift weights just using my good arm?

I also had a compound fracture of my tibia and fractured my fibula. I have a titanium rod in the tibia. They didn't even fix the fibula. Orthopod told me that was like a 'spare' bone. ) I am able to walk pretty good now, but not run yet. Just started being able to go up the stairs, taking two stairs at a time.

I also broke my right scapula, but that's no big deal.

Looking forward to meeting new friends who can help with my anxiety and answer questions.

Thanks again,
Frank

Hi Frank - I had a low speed off in Nov last year and was diagnosed with a BPI in the first few days - they then made an appt with a surgeon 7 weeks later to see if it would heal itself in the meantime, it didnt and 13 hrs of surgery followed on 29th March where he found C5 & C6 avulsed, so he took a nerve from my leg and plumbed all nerves into C7. At the regrowth rate of 1mm per day i am looking at 3 to 6 months before i see any improvement - I see the physio twice a week and the massage and movements she does i do the other 5 days in the week. So it's just a waiting game but you can really help yourself by keeping the bloodflow up with massage and stretching but not until the surgeon gives you the go ahead.

Cheers John

How did you deal with a broken leg and a bad arm? I also broke both major bones in my leg and am still waiting for them to fully heal so they can fix the ligaments in my knee. I'm stuck using a forearm crutch and a wheelchair and they always take up my working arm so I can't carry anything. Got any tips? How long before you could walk normally again? Was it difficult?
As to the lifting, you always want the doc's green light, but I don't see why some light lifting with the good would hurt. The healthier your badt is the better you heal (and it just feels good). Just keep up with the range of motion. Because of lack of use your arm can tighten up incredibly fast. Hope this helps.

Thanks John-
I definitely stretch the right arm on a regular basis. I try to make it do everything it's 'supposed' to do, though I have to lift it with my left arm to do stuff like shave, put contacts in. I actually forced my right arm to do all the steering on a 30 mile drive yesterday. Again, I can push and pull with the arm, I just can't lift and I have no abduction (can't push arm away when in 90 degree position, but can pull it towards me). I also constantly shrug my shoulder to try and minimize the sublax.

Thanks!

f.