United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi guys,
I was in a motorcycle accident Sept 4th 2011. My left forearm basically exploded. However they were able to repair it, it is far from healed though. Around November they diagnosed me with A brachial Plexus injury. My bicep Tricep and delt were non functioning. The radial nerve is also out (probably due to the extreme forearm damage) and I can't pull my fingers back or my hand back.

My plastics Doctor (Dr Kells at Washington U in St Louis) sent me to see her boss (Dr Susan Mackinnon). I had my surgery January 24th 2012. They grafted the nerves that I use to curl my fingers and flex my wrist down to my bicep, the nerve to bend my wrist outward to another part of my bicep (one actually causes my arm to curl. The other makes my forearm twist so that my palm is up). She then grafted one of the nerves from my pec into my delt and a seperate pec nerve into my tricep. They are supposed to come back in that order also. As for my forearm I believe the plan is to either fuse my wrist straight or do tendon transfers from the other side of the forearm. Or perhaps a combination of the two.

I can already curl my arm in as long as its on a flat surface and smooth when my arm is on cloth. I do physical therapy and they say they see improvements every week. I imagine I will get to know these people very well before I am recovered.

As far as pain goes, I stopped taking any kind of medication a couple months ago. The random nerve stinging and zaps actually subsided. I may get jolted once in a great while now. My arm can finally hang free without pain or feeling of shoulder dislocation now, allowing me to let my arm hang while showering or moving around my appartment. Half of my hand from the middle finger to my thumb has this constant burning numbness however. I have to wear a glove (which helps with the pain for some reason) to keep my fingers curled and from stiffening up on me (something I made myself using velcro, shoelaces and rubber bands).

I have a couple of questions. Will the numbing pain subside? Anything else I can do to improve the stiffness and pain in my hand? Should the physical therapist not be using a russian tens machine on my bicep, tricep and delt? The bicep, tricep and delt areas are also numb but seems like the sensation is coming back sloooowly. Is this a sign of motor nerves repairing also? And A question I forgot to ask the doctor is when they do a nerve graft, do they just completely sever the receiving nerve cord then plug the donor cord into the nerve sheath? Or do the just make a incision, then plugging the nerve in that way (maybe allowing some of the nerves to recover on thier own)?

Also I am 32 years old but look much younger than my age. I've also been a rather fast healer. I think Dr Mackinnon is a super hero and I like the color green.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

P.S. Sorry about the wall of text.

Hi RLT
Stiffness , pin and needle,cramping,arm Pain,ETC!!!
You know I thought I would Talk on this?? I have these issues From Birth erbs
The best thing I learn is that building and stretching help lesson these issues
In my life time with these issues I found that if you can find things to adapt and try By using your limitation will also help these issue some????? Pain can be help by Distraction by trying something. I thought less about the high pain when I was FOCUSS driving a Semi in and around Chicago When I got home I Ice my wrist and shoulder I put my arm up on a couch to take the weight off my shoulder Driving semis for years doing these steps Has Help me
Training yourself is the best therapy , I stretching is a 10 in my life , It even fells better when your involve in doing a activity There are alot of people who Post that do all types of things IN spite of there limitation I smile Mental I think that these injury gave me a Will to try even though I might fail Sure Me and everyone posting learn the strengthen in trying Denomination is a TOTAL plus Oh, DEEP Massage is a practice for these issues to, Fell great!!!!
Best trys,
Tom

Hello RLT,
I was in a motorcycle accident sept. 2010 and the one thing that has not changed and seems to be constant is the numb/stiffness what I have found that helps is constantly stretching and pulling the hand/fingers.Also using one of those soft balls to squeeze is good,as for the pain mine is not as bad as it was in the beginning but it does flare up through out the day,I personally have replaced pain meds with vitamin b and omega 3 fish oil.The main thing I've noticed is that everything,the numbness and pain tends to be worse when I am stressed out or depressed so anything you can do to keep yourself calm and relaxed is good.Unfortunately this injury isn't one that is easily fixed and more times than not a full recovery is unlikely,sorry you have to be here but I can say this forum is very helpful and full of information and support.Well good luck and I hope you are one of the lucky ones who get's some usefull function back.

ARMSTRONG!!! GREAT POST
Thank you for reminding me about the Rubber ball work out. Dam That Ball I got enough stretch to drive and become a Biker with Birth ERBS and a 18 wheeler Someone wants to Ride again, GOOD FOR THEM!!!!!!!! You MAYBE BEABLE TO or not??? There is a Joy in trying?????? IT helps the issues on this POSt I GUESS???? I hope I can share the SPIRIT that trys????? we can ONLY HOPE!??
Tom

Soft hand excersize balls RULE! I collect 'em in every texture that feels good and color coded to my clothes.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+++

Thanks for the reply's everyone. I was told to get a rubber balloon and put flower in it to strengthen my hand. Still havent tried that yet since I can't even make a fist yet. I do notice that I dont notice the pain when I am focused on something. Must be why I dont really like watching tv anymore.

And I have counted out having a full recovery and have come to terms with it. I have even come to terms with amputation if it came down to it (but i dont believe it would come down to that). I am already fully capeable (???) of doing things one handed now. Actually the only thing I truely have problems with is making a peanut butter sandwich
Oh well. I did remove my radiator in my car sunday with minor assistance.

hi, your story sounds similar to mine with the exception of crushing my forearm. it was close to, if not over a year before i could make a fist. it has been almost two years now and i can make a soft fist. probably all i will ever be able to do. but i have very little pain any more. just extrememly annoying sensations. grrrrr i was like you in the beginning, i missed my peanut buter and jelly sandwiches. i can do that now. i can grip things a bit better, raise my arm over my head, i can do some things i thought i would never be able to do again. my hand is no where near what it was before the injury, but it is somewhat useful at least. hang in there it will get better. if it were not for dr mackinnon, i would have no use of my hand whatsoever. when i finally got to her, it was almost too late to do anything. i am so grateful to her for giving my hand back. dont give up on it and KEEP UP THE EXCERCISES!! the most important thing you can do. excercise, excercise, excercise.

"RLT"
FYI,Amazon has tools for One-Handed people. If you go thru the "Shopping" Link on UBPN home page to purchase anything, I believe UBPN gets a percentage. I haven't gone there in a long time...I think there is a plastic material, ("Dycem"???sp), that holds items like bread in 1 spot while spreading things to make a sandwich....HOWEVER the more you do it the easier it gets too .
BTWWelcome to our UBPN Family!
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+++