United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Can anyone share their experiences after Mod-Quad. My son Bradley is ROBPI and his right elbow is "flared up". He can't seem to put it down to his side, ever. I'm very pleased with how high he is able to lift it, however his elbow is contracted and concerns me. Does it take awhile until the arm comes down after Quad? He has all of the symptoms for a subluxation. I don't think I can deal with another issue so soon. Maybe I'm "overreacting" as my PT states. I read it in her progress report on my son. The nerve. I thought I was reading a psych eval. on myself. I was devistated, I'm working so hard on learning about this injury. Everytime I bring her a handout with good info on BPI, I think she chucks it in the garbage. Thanks for your help guys.

Allison

Allison,
From what I've been told that's a classic positioning of the arm after mod quad.
I know this may be difficult to hear but maybe you need to find another pt for Bradley. Sometimes a change is good.
Cindy

I agree with Cindy. I'd look into getting a new PT. My gosh, if you don't overreact or do what's necessary for him, then it's neglect. Maybe you need to have a good talking to your PT or their boss!

Allison, how did your son do with the surgery? I'm interested to hear about how the arm will look after MQ too.

Tammie,
After Matthew's mod quad he didn't want to use his arm much for a while and preferred to be splinted at night. He was still left with internal rotation. It took a couple of days for the arm to come down.
Cindy

Allison - it takes a long time for the arm to normalize after mod quad.... I always tell people that at the end of one year rehab after MQ I remember thinking that it actually did take that long for Maia's arm to be stable in it's new capabilities, etc.

Elbow flaring can also be posturing for balance - emotional protection - many things.... it's called the Erb's Engram. It doesn't always have to mean a subluxation.

Breathe, my friend, breathe....

-francine

Allison,
Francine is correct, it takes a long time after the mod quad (normally--each child is a unitque individual!) before you see "results". My daughter took several months after the mod-quad before we saw improvment. And, at first, Bradley will probably seem worse (due to lack of use of the arm, etc). He will be weaker and then you will do strengthening excersises and build back up and then you will continue to see improvements..not all at once and not in any pattern, but they'll come!

All the best to you!
Peggy

Id be pissed at the therapist and want to change.(therapists)

Belive me, I would have dropped her immediately, however she is the owner of the business where Bradley is receiving mayo-fascial rls. from another PT whom has done wonders for my son. The owner also gives him PT 2x's week. If I drop her, I lose the Mayo-fascial with a wonderful PT. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. At first I wanted to rip her a new one but, I kept my mouth shut, and sure enough don't they get a newborn with a very serious injury. Who do you think they called for info? Good Karma!
Allison

I posted my experiences back in January...too long to try to re-create, but basically my daughter had some setbacks before we saw improvement. It took quite awhile for her to lose that "splinted" position. 8 weeks was our all time low, and it got better after that. It's different time frames for each kid, but that was ours.

Lisa

Allison,

I know how hard it can be while you wait for surgical outcomes. We are in a similar situation. It is tough. Hang in there and try not to worry. The body will take its own sweet time.

I hate to say this too, but you really should seriously consider getting rid of you PT. Sounds like a real bad situation, and it is also one I can relate to. We have had some nightmare experiences with our pt. She too is the "owner" and a big wig in our town, and she seems to think she knows everything, even though she obviously doesn't and has even done things that could harm my child. I know you feel intimidated, but I don't see why you can't stop working with her and continue with the myofascial therapist. It is not like she will not allow that, is it??? More your own discomfort which I am sure you can work through, especially if it is in your own best interest and your childs. We are cutting back with our owner, pt and continuing with the aqua therapist there and soon we plan to discontinue using her as a pt all together. Just sounds like it really is time to move on. I am sure there are different avenues to approaching the issue. Good luck!