11yrs after nerve graft surgery arm won't straighten

[jackieb]

My son had nerve graft surgery at 11mths this surgery appeared to work really well and we continued on with life so to speak without much of a backwards glance. The RCH (we are located in Victoria, Australia) were really happy with his progress and we haven't had to see them since around 2005 (surgery was in 2001).

I noticed my son's inability to straighten his arm a couple of weeks ago and we have now seen his paediatrician who has done a referral back to the Brachial Plexus clinic, which I know will give some answers, but while I wait for the appointment my overactive brain is sure to imagine lots of terrible things as his Doctor did say to me that he doesn't know if they will be able to fix it.

He used to be able to put his arms out in front of him and put his palms up without too much of an issue, it was hard to see there was a problem, this too is no longer the case and when he attempts it, it does seem to hurt. His arm is also very weak and he admitted that it is starting to bother him not being able to do much with it. This was hard to hear as my son has never really noticed his arm was an issue and as he is about to start high school I am worried about him being self conscious about his arm.

I guess that I am hoping other's may have experienced this or have some answers, to be carefree all these years and have everything to be working well with no issues and then suddenly it all comes back is a scary feeling

[sprince123]

My 15 year old tried serial casting and was yelling in pain within hours of the casting. We had to go in the next day to have it changed to a lessened "stretch." That too was unbearable. I am wondering if this is typical or not?

[jackieb]

Thankyou tsalata. I think just knowing there will be some options and hope does help. All I could see coming was it getting worse and worse.