United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My instructions, from the physicians at TCH, say to keep the involved arm in the upright position after mod-quad and yet the instructions say to bring arm down to side for ROM stretching....so should I be bringing the arm down to the side of my childs body? Thanks for your response.

I really don't know the answer to this...but I will tell you that it took Maia quite some time to be able to bring her arm all the way down.... maybe a few weeks actually.

My son is in the SOL splint now (2 weeks post mod/quad) my understanding is that the arm is to be supported during the ROM. The PT's at TCH showed us the streches to do and the arm never went below 90 degrees. Meaning that you support the arm and slowly bring it down so the arm is level with the shoulder and parallel to the floor for 10 repitions. Hope that answers your question.

I was also confused about this apparent contradiction...keep the arm in SOL splint but bring it down to the side? I checked with TCH and they told me to VERY GENTLY, without forcing at all, and in a supported manner, try to slowly bring the arm down once per day. They were finding this helped diminsh much of the stiffness once the splint comes off. Do this very slowly. If the arm only goes down a few inches that's ok. Just keep doing it and it will continue to improve. Of course, only if approved by the surgeon.

we have to all remember that there are different procedures done in the mod quad - some children may have all and some may have some and not all the same "some". I am sure that he splint ROM instructions pertain to the exact procedures that were done for that particular child - so sharing information like this should be for "information only" and not as guidance for what you should do with your child.... BUT the exact information on how to do the post surgical ANYTHING should come directly from your child's surgeon.

BTW when I mentioned that we tried to bring Maia's arm down, and it was indeed very stiff and took weeks, this was AFTER the splint time 24/7 was over...much has changed in their protocols since Maia had her mod quad, so that's why I could only discuss what happened AFTER the splint was off.

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!
-francine

my daughter Anna 18 months has right bpi and is three weeks post mod quad.. looking at her instructions they gave us to come home with, her arm must stay up in the air at all times, the first four weeks, they showed us ROM exercises to do from her elbow up, bending at the elbow touching the top of her head, turning of her wrist a certain way, moving her fingers, but by no means letting the arm down until the end of her first four weeks..
if I was you I would difinetly call them to double check your instructions, does'nt sound right..
marg