United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

We got stuck on the 7th floor of the st lukes episcibal hospital. It is part of TCH but that is not the normal area for MQ patients. I really did want to meat with other families on SUnday and I did recieve calls from Jared'smom and some one else. I am sorry we could not meet I hope both of your kids are doing fine.

Surgery was Monday got home Thursday night. I think Justice missed her bed she went to bed about 10pm and slept almost all night on me though. I couldnt leave the room. My main question I have is How long do I do the basic ROMs. She screams the entire time. She is in total pain. I do give her Tylenol-3 half hour before the splint comes off. How many rebs would be sufficent and should I be taking her arm out of the the strap to do more exercises through out the day. TCH said to do what she can handle and when the splint is off to do them.

Another question I have is what have you all found the best method for washing hair. Her strips have not fallen out yet of course so I cant give her a bath in a tub.

Well I suppose I should go get lunch ready. Thanks for all your help.

hi! glad that the surgery went well and all.. where did you stay this time? (remembering what happened last time)

here's the link to the shampoo in a cap that many parents have tried and liked...
http://www.comfortbath.com/aboutrf.cfm

I just laid Maia down on a quilt and put a stack of towels underneath her head and washed her head that way...it was a pain but it worked. Next time she has surgery I'm going to invest in one of those blowup shampoo sinks that you can get in one of those medical supply catalogs. I think it's about $20 or so...seems worth it to me. LOL

I can't give you any advice about ranging because we weren't allowed to do any ranging - so I am clueless. If it's really painful for her then call down there and talk to them about it. Somehow having your child scream through the whole thing - that doesn't sound healthy to me. But maybe there is a serious reason you have to do it... I just don't know.

When Maia's steri strips were off and then some we had her therapist make her a bathing splint. It was a little crude but hey -what the heck right? We only used it for 30 mins a day so that she could bathe and it was just fantastic. You can see pictures of it in the capsulodesis section on her site. http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html

Give Justice a hug from us and to you too!
Surgery weeks are hard weeks...how are YOU holding up?
francine

When our son had MQ we only did ROM on his elbow and wrist. We were told not to let his shoulder move at all. It never seemed to bother him at all. It only took us about 5 minutes to do them. We only did them once a day when we took the splint off for cleaning. I think if it is painful you should definitely call and ask about it.

We only washed his hair with a washrag and a bowl of water, but he was a 2 year old boy so it was a lot easier than for a girl with more hair.

Good luck with everything and I hope her recovery goes well. You'll be surprised how fast the time goes.

Connie

When Caleb had his MT we did the same thing. Gentle range of elbow, rist, and fingers only. (He has total LBPI) My husband would dress in his swimsuit and hold Caleb in the bathtub so that I could bathe him. That way Caleb couldn't move his shoulder. We were allowed to emerse the stitches, just not soak them for a long time.

HTH,

Kari

Thats all I am doing too. I am just doing the exercises when We take the splint off the one time a day. We are not doing shoulder movements. The wrist isnt a problem or the fingers its the elbow exercises that are painful. I am calling TCH on Monday. I am doing as they said just doing the exercises as Justice can handle when I take the splint off. Thanks for the responses. I will keep you all updated.

Hannah had the MQ in November. She screamed when we ranged her elbow every time. I think it was really stiff. I did see her OT during this time and she ranged her for me and guess what - Hannah didn't scream for her. I called TCH and they told me to do what she can handle and don't push to much the first few weeks.

Lisa

My son had the mod quad last summer. What worked for us was doing the elbow and wrist ROMs while he was still in the splint. That way you can be sure the shoulder doesn't move. By the end of his allotted time in the splint he was feeling so great that he would actually try to start his elbow ROMs by himself as soon as we took the straps off! The TCH protocol worked very well for us so if your child is screaming I would suggest that you call them.

As for hair washing, my husband would hold him over the kitchen sink (with his splint still on so his shoulder wouldn't move) and I would wash his hair. He loved this and found it very relaxing. My daughter saw how much he was enjoying it and asked us to wash her hair the same way!!

My son had the mod quad last summer. What worked for us was doing the elbow and wrist ROMs while he was still in the splint. That way you can be sure the shoulder doesn't move. By the end of his allotted time in the splint he was feeling so great that he would actually try to start his elbow ROMs by himself as soon as we took the straps off! The TCH protocol worked very well for us so if your child is screaming I would suggest that you call them.

As for hair washing, my husband would hold him over the kitchen sink (with his splint still on so his shoulder wouldn't move) and I would wash his hair. He loved this and found it very relaxing. My daughter saw how much he was enjoying it and asked us to wash her hair the same way!!

I hope you guys are doing well now that you are getting settled. Why did you have to stay at St. Luke's? If you don't mind me asking.

As for the hair, we bought some shampoo in a cap for Kelsey from Walgren's. Don't know if they have them where you are, but they have an on-line store too. Last week they were buy one get one half off or something like that. Kelsey has fairly long hair and her left arm was out on the wrong side of the sink for me to lay her there. We took her to a beauty school and they washed her hair for a dollar I think.

Good luck!
Nancy