United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well Joey's 8 weeks in the brace 24/7 are finally over. Today was his first day at school without his brace. He said he felt free!! Someone down below was asking about brace styles. Joeys was straight out to the side at 90 degrees. He had the caps and the pronator transfer. He starts therapy on Wed. I've been massaging his arm. It looks a lot smaller and weaker but I know in time it will build back up. I know people have mentioned winging in the past and that this is a good thing...I am a bit apprehensive because I still dont see any winging in his back on that side. Think it takes some time or should that be immediate?

Way to go Joey!!!!!! I am so glad for you guys....He has done so well (as usual...he is such a trooper). Guess the splint removal went well, eh? Figured it would as calm as you guys are about everything. I know it is a bummer when ya see that arm looking a little weak. He'll bulk right back up though. As far that winging......I don't know...ya sure there isn't even a little something sticking out? Did you compare it to the other side? Seems like there should be a little poking out if they did the capsuledesis to tighten everything back. Not real familiar with this procedure since we haven't taken that road yet. Hope to talk to ya soon.
Kelli

Joann,
Good for Joey and the rest of your family. We have 3 weeks down and 5 to go. Caroline is adjusting well. Did Joey wear the Dynamic Splint too or the regular one? I know from the last three surgeries her arm went down within the first few hours that we took the splint off - did Joey's go down right away or gradually? Did you take it off on a school day and he went to school with it "coming down" or over the weekend? Keep us posted on how he is doing and I will email you at home. Maybe Carolin and Joey can share 1st grade war stories!
Way to go Joey!
The Reilly's in NY

It was me that posted about being straight out to the side. Good to hear things are going so well. Does your son have a lot of stiffness? I was also wondering about the winging. My daughter Bailey doesn't seem to be winging at all. I put a call in to Lisa T yesterday. I will let you know what she says when she calls back. Is it hard to get the brace back on at night. It was hard for us but I think it is now getting a little easier. Bailey has been out of the Splint during the day for 1 1/2 weeks.
Jodi

Monday was the 8 week point so I took the brace off him on Sunday afternoon for a few hours so it wouldnt be such a shock on Monday with going to school and such. He said he felt so free! ) And putting on his jacket and feeling his arm in it felt weird. ) It was stiff and awkward looking at first. Even though it was straight out to the side in the brace with the brace off he definately has a bend to it and he held it internally rotated. I assume it is because his tricep is weak and cant straighten the arm out on its own. His elbow joint is still a bit stiff so we bend it in slowly to try to start loosening it up. All of this would be expected I assume just from being inactive for 8 weeks. He had his first therapy visit yesterday. She showed us some things to be working on to get the joints moving again. He definately doesnt have winging. I asked her about it and she said she never heard of winging considered a "good" thing. I also had asked Lisa T. a while ago the difference between the dynamic splint and the static one for the same operation and what I got from what she said is that all the injuries...contractures are different and require different splinting. Hope this menagerie of a response helps in some way! If I can help let me know! Kathy, I hope Caroline is enjoying 1st grade!! Its such a fun age!! Kelli...A long time ago you said you were going to come to Pennsylvania for a visit...where have you been???????? You know you're always welcome!

Thanks Joann! Keep us posted on Joey's progress!
Kathy