United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

i am planning on doing a half marathon in the fall. i plan on walking it because of other medical issues. when i walk, my arm tends to flop around a little bit if i am not paying attention to it. if i walk over a mile or so, it starts to ache. this marathon is 13+ miles. i can walk that far, but not with this crazy arm flopping around like it does. should i put it in a sling or hold it against the side of my body? i hate putting it in a sling. i really dont know how to handle this. or should i just use the sling off and on, letting it flop around till it gets tired and put it in the sling for a while and take it out for a while?

A sling is a GREAT idea and a good invention Dan for running
If a sling still bugs you , Try squeezing a small rubber ball in running, it will tighten the arm and flop less?? If you can GRASp a BALL ,if you can just grasp a little use a tennis ball???
This came from my TRICK bag of TRYS Invention and do happen over time with these injuries for us, The trys are founded in the and invention in Adapting to what we can, I think
Tom

Congrats on your decision to do a long distance like that! I would go with a sling for sure. I use one of Dan's for running, but if I was just walking, a more "normal" sling could work too. I used to use this one a lot:
http://armsling.com/

It's black and pretty unnoticeable on dark clothing. When I cycle to work, I use one, and it's not like there's a glaring "BROKEN ARM" look with it.

Best,
MW

You can't go wrong with either of the slings mentioned. I've been using the one MW posted(the ultimate sling, as it's known) on a daily basis for almost the last two years and I just got one of Dan's slings about a month and a half ago and it's worked out great for running, snowboarding and working out at the gym.

i have slings. the problem is i NEVER wear a sling any more. have not since august or sep of last year i dont even know where they are. i will find them, though. i was just not sure whether if it would do any damage in the way of making my elbow stiff. i have full range of motion, but my elbow does not straighten unless i consciously straighten it. my fingers are always a bit stiff, but i can squeeze a ball while in the sling. i am more worried about my elbow and shoulder.

I vote for you getting that sling.
I think it's FABULOUS you are going to do a marathon,Joyce!!
HUGGZ
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73++++++++++++++++

Ha JMAR,
Slings are awesome base on post!!! Then we have the variables in our limitation . I gave squeezing a small ball in running as a alliterative to the sling if waring a sling Bothers your limitation in running ??? Squeezing a ball increases grasp but by doing so it also tightens the arm shoulder and end up hold the arm closer to the body less flopping??,for me Will this help you or Dans sling which is AWSOME for runners to!!!!! In general to me ,
Stiffness in the elbow goes along with these injury with a laundry list of other issues, Trying even though pain, some how we over come some times by our trys by posts, : The joy , is finding something we can do and posting it here. For me I always think less about my limitation when I am focus in a activity and I think we all get the benefit of this by Post?? By doing our activity it will straighten the limitation we or left with in life and our Spirit to try by determination, I think Looking back in my life you really end up with a Bucket List of trys that work out there fore, Joy of our trys ,we really do defeat depression We just need to remember the positive when they dont?? We all have this joy of our own bucket list
Hope this helps???

Your Doing AWSOME by our trys!! I think in my life If I could teach myself to adapt I was less depression by my trys that work We never really fail even thaw something we never can overcome, it a path back to felling Down again?? Sometimes staying positive is totally the determination we all have Determination to keep trying defeats depression to, I think
Tom

Oh I forgot so I thought i would add this here?? There is a thing about the time element for sure-!! Pressing a doctor to get the right help in time by the right doctor ??? when you dont find the help Despair sets in. Sometime it takes forever to find the right doctor that will help, and in my case no help was ever given. Despair can lead to the offing of a arm by Post, That how far deprecation and despair can lead. Just because of lack of help in time or because you have a dead arm and think there no help for me ?? despair and amputation, do happen for real JMAR answer in the next post was Dead on
Tom

I am glad CHRIS wrote on the other post, Man That guy knows a lot!! You know I am in AW!!! by you guys Ruthless Determination by post by finding that doctor by QUEST. FOR REALL I wish it did not happen, I wonder, to find that right doctor in there area and started at the Energy room Ware is the a booklet for a BPI specialist at time same time of treatment ?? If there Is None I will donate to forming one to have it at a emergency Room(IT starts at the emergency room,Right . What you guys post finding the right doctor in time for your injuries its Drive me Crazy !! It also drives me Nuts when a person doesn't find help by a doctor for there limitation lead them to take a arm off by despair , I think its , I know all about no help at all in life, But it still works out in life by YES Ruthless Determination to adapt, Count BIG TIME!!!
, I am so glad there is real help by post. Fact is I never fell despair by trying when I can find direction, I think
I know mr,positive
Tom