United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Wow, it's been a long time since I was on the UBPN boards. I am so happy to see some familiar names/faces, and sad to see how much need there is still for it. That aside, what an amazing place this is for people, and I know it was once a lifeline for me, when Dani was a baby especially.

Recently, during Spring Break, Dani, my 15 yr old daughter (ROBPI), who is an avid Western equestrian, injured her non BPI arm, (left side) rather severely, while using a heavy wheelbarrow at the barn. Her physio made her use a splint that isolated her thumb and aside from the pain, it REALLY revealed how much she relies on using her left arm. She emotionally struggled with it too, as the Dr advised her due to the BPI, overcompensation injuries will be common unless she manages to find other ways to do things. Ugh. It crushed my girl.
She has had two surgeries-both under 5 yrs of age, and I think felt that she was managing to do as much as she can despite her arm. This has affected her confidence, has probably also made her question her dream of running her own barn, and doing the manual labor it takes to keep up the barn and it's chores. Dani doesn't talk that openly about her arm or limitations she feels, unlike me, that is an open communicator. I can't help but feel if she knew other teens that she feels a connection to it would help her. Or to hear if others have had tendonitis in their able arm, and how they have healed from it.
I haven't been overly impressed with the physio's lack of game plan, long term to restrengthen her arm. I am waiting to hear from her physio that she has had since she was a baby, that specializes in BPI. I want to see if she can give us some advice.

Can anyone shed any light? Or have any suggestions or a similiar injury to their nonBPI arm?

Thanks in advance. <3

Kim

Hi Kim ,
I am a poor excuse because I drove a semi with Erbs This web sight does state over use issues, Big time But it more about doing than not, I think
My mom stop stopped worrying about me at ten, climbing a tree with birth erbs
repetitive movement does have issues by post I never had repetitive movement but I got my good arm rip up anyway driving Semis I am the worst person to say dont Try because of trys ???
You and many other parent , reminded me of my Mom before she died !!!
Tom

Tom,

Thank you for your reply.
Wow, a semi truck driver...good on you. It sounds like nothing slowed you down, despite having a BPI. Dani has been much the same way, until now. And like you did, wants to work through it.
I was referred to a hand/arm therapist, and hopefully he can shed some light on continuing to strengthen the nonBPI arm, without causing further injury. My daughter has had a hard time with the guilt of not riding, caring for her horse. I told her if she doesn't rest it and look after it properly, then it will be bad in the long run.

I hope that the specialists for this injury start to post more data on the children that have had the surgeries as babies and young children, and what the effects and longterm prognosis is. And for those that haven't had surgery too. I have found some stuff on the web, but most of us don't speak "Medicalese"
This site is WEALTH of people from all types of severity, cause and with the best source for data, you won't find in a once or twice annual visit with the BPI doctors, bless them.
I have nothing but good to say about the BPI specialists, and hope they continue to find ways to help all those affected with OBPI and TBPI.

All the best Tom, and again, my gratitude for your response!

Kim

Hi Kim Thank you
Wow I been thinking
I remember when I needed to work at 15 I struggled to find a way to adapt to work what job could I do one hand Sooo Depress
There was alot of cant find a way to adapt but Joy when I did
I never got receptive moving issues but my good arm just grew stronger over the years , Then I was thinking
How can I explain this
These are my ways I learn in my life time to adapt and I guess why I never got repetitive movement issues?? , I learn to change the angle of my stances and arm angle when my good arm got tiered . I learn with alot of trys To use my limited range of my erbs to assist my good arm, This help me to load and unload trucks at UPS night before I started driving semis, I was a good one handed Jogger I guess with time ? If you lift something beware that weight has to do with repetitive movement injuries happen when to much weight is to use for two long , I think It about changing the the angle of what you need to do so you can do it longer Do some other task if you can when your finding your arm and those muscles get tired, I hope I explain this Ok??
I stress that you need not give up on your dreams you just need to have the idea then you need to figure out by a try day In this case a sorter time doing something at the barn?
When I tried looking for work I ask the employer if I could try doing the job , for a Day???
Try days give you time to learn and hop-fully you can adapt if you can??. If you cant adapt then you never really failed because trying is more important than not. I know I am less depress if I am trying to do things or involve in a activity, no time to fell Bum out I think
I am so happy when trys work out by SOOO many post here like this !! if thinks dont work out Then WE will be right here
I know Mr Positive
Tom

Hello Kim and Dani! Welcome back. Unfortunately the only real cure for tendinitis is rest. That being said, I have tendinitis in my "good arm" it flares and I have my hubby massage it then it's pretty good until I overuse it again. Totally livable, pain in the butt, yes but definitely livable! Tell Dani she can do whatever she puts her mind too! Hope that helps ease her mind

Thank you both for your thoughtfylul replies.

I appreciate ALL the information. And Dani will too.


Hugs

Kim