United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

CAN BPI MUSCLE ATROPHY BE REVERSED?

i think the answer to your question is a matter of opinion. i try to passively exercise the muscle groups that appear to be under atrophy. i also use a tens/ems unit to provide stimulation to these groups. hopefully i can at least slow down the process if not reverse it. in my case only time will tell. the important thing to me no matter if the plan works or not is that i tried my best to do something about it. i have a overwhelming feeling that i have nothing to lose by trying everything that may help.

i think it depends on how long the muscles have been atrophied. i am hoping to get my muscles back after 9 or 10 months. (dont know yet when my surgery will be). i am sure they have not been atrophied that long or if they are just starting? but like djk, i am doing everything i can do to keep my muscles moving. good luck to you on your recovery

Hi-- I am new to the forum. I had a bad mva sept. 29 ot 2010. Amongst other lower extremity injuries, I now have no ambulation of my right, dominant arm. I have good use elbow to hand and hand is fine, but no ability to raise arm upward or shake hands, etc. This oddly did not show symptoms immediately after the accident. All was fine with the arm for 3 to 4 days, then I realized I couldn;t lift the fork to my mouth. My deltoid muscle has been inoperative ever since. I have a tens unit and used it some early on, but then I got lax in using it I must admit. Now the deltoid is so severely atrophied and sunken away from my shoulder joint that I have a hard time locating the electrical patches to get any simulating of the deltoid. The upper back shoulder muscles are also affected and I had and have little success in locating the patches to activate those muscles. Does anyone have any hands on suggestions for the tens? My shoulder is now very bony and the muscles very atrophied. I am currently trying to get an appt at Mayo in MN in the brachial plexus clinic. I hopefully will know soon whether they will take me or not. The drs. here in Memphis seem confused and at a loss for what to do with this condition. It sounds like even if Mayo's did do surgery though, that the recovery and start of activity in the muscles affected takes a considerable time. Is that correct? Any information or experience that anyone can share would be appreciated. Thank you. Paul.