United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

We just got the results of DJ's MRI today. The shoulder is still in place but it is starting to move backward. Of course they want to do tendon transfer surgeries but I'm not convinced this is the time to do this. How early have any of you done this surgery and what were yourresults?

My son had the muscle transfer/tendon releases at 19 mos. old. He was so limited in his range of motion due to tightness that it wasn't even an option in our minds to have it done. He had the nerve surgery done as an infant and knowing that we were not getting the full effect of that surgery because of his tightness convinced us to do it. We were floored by the difference it made for him!!! He has deformities still, but we work with him on getting his scapula back in a better position and strengthening and try not to worry about how his shoulder looks raised... it can be sad for me to see if I dwell on it.

About your brace question from a different post... We tried theratogs for our son a 4 years old to try to keep his shoulder/scapula in a good position in the daytime. Unfortunately, we found it much more of a hassle and not enough of a benefit to make it worth it. I know a lady who's toddler started wearing them young and she likes them for her daughter... Insurance doesn't typically cover them, but we were able to work with my son's OT and her with the Theratog company and we got a loaner set for 45 days. They are very expensive and so I'm glad we didn't buy them and then end up not liking them!

Maybe it's worth a try because you may like them for your son. In our experience, they did restrict some of his ROM though.

We had excellent results with Theratogs for Maia's lordosis (swayback). It took a real commitment from me and maia to do it - but it was well worth it. When she got older it became almost impossible because of sweat and bulk and having "mom" be involved in that way -- wish it wasn't a hassle because it was the thing that helped Maia's posture the most. Maia couldn't do kinesiotaping because of skin eczema and sensory stuff -- but she did fine with the theratogs.