United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My surgery was successful. I am now home and waiting. I have to wear quite a contraption to hold out that muscle. Doctor says I must wear it 6 weeks. Any one do this successfully. Right now I'm just miserable. I'm sure it will be worth it.

Hang in there "hilltopfwb" !
'sending you good thoughts and a prayer..or 2
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+++

I had a muscle transfer to my biceps and had to wear a pretty complicated cast + sling combo too. My arm was cast in kind of a bent 90 degree position, and I had this sling that had velcro straps and a big wedge to hold it against my torso. I'm just glad I had it done in the summer, so I didn't have to deal with coats and sweaters.

It was ultimately successful - after about a 12-18 months I could bend my elbow a bit with practice.

that 6 weeks may seem like 6 months. but it will be over with before you know it. best wishes to you. so happy your surgery went well

MW glad you are doing well also. we all love success stories

Thanks to everyone. 3 1/2 weeks to go and we will get to see if this arm works!

I went through a major muscle transfer surgery on my right shoulder at the Mayo Clinic in December of 2011. I am not sure what kind of medical device you are in but I was put in an upper body cast. My arm and shoulder were raised close to 90 degrees. I had to wear this cast for 8-weeks.

It was an extremely difficult thing to live through due to the awkward position your upper body has been confined to and the raised position of the shoulder-arm. I had to purchase two air plane tickets in first class so I wouldn’t disturb anyone sitting next to me. The hardest part was trying to stay clean while keeping the skin under the cast as aired out as possible. Laying down would help create air pockets and using baby powder would help relive the discomforts associated with skin irritation. Also, if using wet towels to wipe your skin try to stay dry, otherwise fungus can build up. I used a hair blow dryer to circulate air under the cast while laying down to help dry any moisture and it also gave tremendous relief.

I can tell you that once you’re out from the cast it is the best feeling and you will appreciate the freedoms that still remain from your BPI. I wish you the best of luck during this time and a positive outcome from your surgery.

Zen,

Thanks for the advice. I had one of those "I think I'm going crazy in this brace " moments yesterday. I'm doing better today. Thanks so much.

Hey Jeffry, i finally got to see Dr.Li today in the 16 months since this ordeal has been going on i finally felt mentally lifted today,Dr. Li confirmed that i had an bpi and stated that he wished he had seen me a year ago. He said he's not even going to attempt a nerve transfer due to the time lapsed,however he does want to do 2 muscle transfers , trapezius, and lattissumus ? to stabilize the shoulder so i think i will soon find myself in the situation u are now in.I now just have to wait for workers comp to approve it, I also made sure i told him i found out about him through you and this website, i wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.

Bull

Hay Bull
Hopefully we can meet when I move to Sherrills Ford , NC I am almost finishing touches on customized 2005 gto I made it on the web sight ULTIMATE GTO sight its on page 29 the Tiger shark design Grays and silvers mid page, Staying positive in face of disappear, Is , I am so happy to see something can be done for you Crazy would be me going to your doctor and see what could done for me You should of seen me when I found this sight, I found I could of had treatment that , But I need to stop being tick and true it to a positive by post here.
Tom

Hey Bull,

I think it is awesome that you got to meet Dr. Li. He really is fantastic. I think you will find that you will be in very capable hands and what he does will really help you.

I wanted to inform the group that I finally got out the Brace and was doing well until I slipped in the shower today. I sure hope I haven't re-injured anything . I am suppose to see Dr. Li Wednesday. (regularly scheduled visit).

Tom & Bull, if you guys get together and it is within my driving distance please let me know. I still have yet to actually meet anyone who has the same injury as me. That would be pretty interesting.

Everyone keep on keeping on!

Jeff