Is this forever?

Treatments, Rehabilitation, and Recovery
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wafloodzone

Is this forever?

Post by wafloodzone »

I was in a accident 3 months ago. The most serious injury is to the brachial plexus. Seems I pulled the nerves right out from the spinal cord. My left arm is paralized from the bicep down. I've had 3 doctors tell me there is no cure. Has anyone had succesful surgery?

Lisa
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johnmetalman
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:29 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: hit by car november 26 07 operated on oct 08 ruptured radial nerve with sural grafts and nerve transfer of median to radial in forearm. radial nerve has some recovery all other nerves are intact.

Re: Is this forever?

Post by johnmetalman »

my personal recomendation is to get on the gun and find someone who specializes in brachial plexus injurys. the longer you wait the more limited your treatment options become with this kind of injury and judging from my own experience doctors will beat around the bush in reffering you to the proper specialist and waste alot of precious time. the best time to treat this kind of injury is within six months of it happening so i would scan the net for doctors in your area who specialize in the brachial plexus as soon as possible
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hilltopfwb
Posts: 82
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:50 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: May 24, 2008 an 88 year old lady did not see me and pulled out while I was riding my 06 HD Street Glide. The accident resulted in 9 broken bones and brain hemorrhaging. The accident's most serious results was two avulsions confirmed in my C6 & C7 vertebrae. In Oct of 08 Dr. Li of Wake Forest University performed nerve transfer lasting around 8 hours in surgery. I have limited use now of my left arm. It took until July of 09 before it moved at all, and now is moving limited. I experience burning pain in my left hand, staying busy helps keep the mind off of burning. I visited the Mayo Clinic May, 2010 and consulted with their brachial plexus team. May 1, 2012, I underwent a muscle transfer at Wake Forest University. This surgery was deemed a success and I have more movement in my arm.
Location: Fuquay Varina NC 27526
Contact:
Contact hilltopfwb

Re: Is this forever?

Post by hilltopfwb »

Let me 2nd the advice you have been given. If your nerves are avulsed the doctor is obviously correct that they can't be surgically replaced. Nerve transfers are an option. I have successfully had nerve transfers done for my shoulder and bicep. My arm will never be the same but I do have full use of my hand and partial use of my arm.

This is not a life ending injury - life goes on!!!....and it is indeed what you make of it. I live a full and exciting life today. Please seek help. The best overall place is the Mayo Clinic. I had my surgery successfully done at Wake Forest University by a Dr. Li. I did go to the Mayo and spoke with those doctors as well.

Good luck and write me if you have any problems.

Jeff Jones
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Dianna williams
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2001 8:57 pm

Re: Is this forever?

Post by Dianna williams »

No, it is not for ever ;) , just takes a while to recover, with the right surgery , doctors, rehab, you will get back to almost normal(for what ever that is). :?
my son Errett got back 97% recovery from his injury, he was injured in football back in 1997,yes that has been 14 years ago( will be halloween night), his c5 and c6 was pulled out of cord, had nerve graft surgery and has 97% use of his arm, you can read my post on him in page 132 it has been a while since i have been on here.
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Laura72
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:23 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Husband has BPI March 8, 2009

Re: Is this forever?

Post by Laura72 »

Just like any other injury you have success stories and sad stories. My husband was injured and does not have an avulsion but is still after 2 1/2 years and multiple surgeries unable to bend his elbow while standing. John's Hopkins hospital is a great place to go for surgery. All the doctors there are great.
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sfcash
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:07 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Nov. 28, 2009 - I was thrown from the suv; C2 vertebrae was crushed and right arm was completely evulsed. I have had a nerve transfer as well as a muscle transfer; I'm awaiting results.

Re: Is this forever?

Post by sfcash »

The advice you've been given is excellent. Dr. Susan MacKinnon did a nerve transfer for me and Dr. Tung transferred a muscle to my arm; both are at Barnes in St. Louis. My accident was two years ago next month and though you may not want to hear this now . . . you' ll adjust no matter what doctors can or cannot do for you. It's going to be okay, scary now but it'll get better. I pulled all the nerves to my right arm, my dominate arm, off. Time will tell what I'll be able to do but I'm really okay with it one way or other. ;)
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Master DIVER TOM
Posts: 759
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 11:51 am

Re: Is this forever?

Post by Master DIVER TOM »

Is this Forever, For me at 61 it is, did it work out you bet ;) :D Reading my post I try my best to show that even thaw I never was told by any doctor of possible treatment or surgeries, EVER!! it did work out in my life basically one hand. I was glad to find this board and find there was treatment and surgeries you guys can find now and in the future, That is why I am so positive here because there is a way by fact ;) but it is a Great quest for sure :roll: I wish there was more direction from doctors and sometimes there is as I have seen hear and others explain to help others hear. I Agree with SF-cash is it okay, yes it is even if the injury last a life time one handed ;) like always i hope this helps?? :roll:
Tom
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jmar
Posts: 528
Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:43 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: brachial plexus stretch during thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on may 18, 2010.

Re: Is this forever?

Post by jmar »

sfcash wrote:The advice you've been given is excellent. Dr. Susan MacKinnon did a nerve transfer for me and Dr. Tung transferred a muscle to my arm; both are at Barnes in St. Louis. My accident was two years ago next month and though you may not want to hear this now . . . you' ll adjust no matter what doctors can or cannot do for you. It's going to be okay, scary now but it'll get better. I pulled all the nerves to my right arm, my dominate arm, off. Time will tell what I'll be able to do but I'm really okay with it one way or other. ;)
dr mackinnon is wonderful. she done my surgery in july and my hand has done great since then. i will always have problems with it, but i am o.k. with it.
i feel like it has to be o.k. one way or another. if it never gets any better, that is just the way it is. there is ABSOULUTELY NOTHING you can do about it, so why worry about something you cant do anything about. you have to do what you have to do. if it gets better, then that is wonderful. but dont make yourself sick worrying about it. get busy and figure out how to be the best you can be. your injury should NEVER define what you can and cant do. you just have to do it differrently. it is a very hard challenge, but you can adapt.

i dont mean for this to sound negative. it is my personal security. if i did not think this way, i would be crazy with grief.
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wafloodzone

Re: Is this forever?

Post by wafloodzone »

I had a surgery consult in Seattle today. Kinda disappointing for me. He said i might be able to get my bicep back but didn't think the rest could be repaired. He is having me go in for more intense imaging (not sure if it's just an MRI or if it involves shooting dye into the spine) on Saturday and back on Monday for the results. Whatever he says I still plan on sending my records to the Mayo clinic. I'm just 3 months into my injury and know time is of the essence so I'm putting this disappointment behind me and are moving forward wherever it takes me. I appreciate everyone's advise. I'll keep you posted.
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Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:
Contact Carolyn J

Re: Is this forever?

Post by Carolyn J »

Please post the Dr's name... and connection to UW medical Center?? that you are seeing in Seattle. I am in Tacoma.
Thank you.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73
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