United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son is 11 years old and has a brachial plexus injury from birth. He is on the middle school football team. Should I allow him to continue to play and is there a way to wrap the shoulder to support it or is there a brace he can wear?

I'm a music mom,not a sports mom and my husband isn't into sports either... but don't the professional football guys tape their joints with this really tough support tape to try to avoid injury? I would look into this... best of luck!

Hi "Football Mom",
On our "Adults with" message board, [BTW EVERYONE is welcome on ANY discussion Forum], there is alot of discussion about doing all kinds of sports and the consensus is LET THEM PLAY whateversports kids are drawn too...it's good all over reasons especially for Self Esteem, & the knowledge they learn how to do things, "their way" is invaluable as well as they learn HOW THEIR body works & their limits IF they have 'em...some of us BPI-ers don't.

Hugs, & feel free to ask questions on our adult message boards too as some people only have time to go on one board.
Carolyn J
LOBPI adult/71, & proud of it!

yes of course!
i have ROBI and i played on my middle school basketball and softball teams and i feel that they allowed me to exercise my arm and build up strength in it.

he is not going to be able to do everything exactly the way the other players do but that doesn't really matter. i'm sure he is used to adapting

Hi Football Mom......we have had more than one doctor tell us that contact sports like football & rugby probably aren't a good idea. The kids born with BPI may not have normal shoulder socket formation which makes dislocations more likely to happen....this was the case with our son who is now 14. His shouler slipped out of what little socket he had and dislocated on it's own sometime between 12 & 13 years old. I've always been under the impression also that taking a hit like they do in football might also further damage the nerves more than they already are. I'm all for the kids playing sports and it's definitely an individual decision. Yes, there are some shoulder braces available to stabilize the shoulder---Tyler had to wear one while waiting to have surgery to get his dislocation repaired. You might contact an occupational or phyical therapist to ask about it.
Donna

We had this dilemma when our son wanted to play small fry football. Dr. Kozin of Shriner's in Philly says definitely yes and Dr. Nath of the Nerve and Paralysis center of Houston says absolutely not. Fortunately our son played one season of small fry and then decided to go back to soccer! I would tend to agree with Dr. Nath especially if they have a severe injury and have had a lot of resconstructive injury.

Javier is 5 and is playing soccer this year. Only because you have to be 6 to start football. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
We have thought and talked about the possibility of reinjuring, but his injury is so severe that he has lived 5 years with no use. Besides, life is way too short, PLAY HARD. Isn't that a Nike slogan? lol
oh- to answer the question: we have also been told to tape for support.


Marlyn mom to Javier 5 ROBPI

You GO JAVIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UBPN Gramma Carolyn J Loves ya and will be rooting for
Ya!
Carolyn J
LOBPI/71 & proud!