United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I agree completely with Claudia,
My daughter moved in ways that she used to not be able to once she was free in the water. I can't see how you could dislocate your shoulder by swimming - it might be possible, but the benefits to having water time seem to be well worth any risks. Let James have fun - it will strengthen his arm, shoulder, and will be fun for him. I have seen so much improvement since we started swimming so much. We moved here almost 6 years ago and the difference in her arm is unbelievable really. My child's arm got stronger, straighter, more muscular - no dislocations - just her having fun with her friends, or me or her Dad. We play alot of water volleyball, basketball, swim laps, dive for toys, back flips, front flips, twirly birds, non-stop fun and she continues to get stronger and stronger. Please do not worry about something that is so unlikely to happen. Let your son have fun being a kid.
Christy

Please note that I said that I wasn't talking about playing or swimming - the motion and muscles involved in hefty movements keep the shoulder stabilized. BUT if your child is floating and doing therapy with a therapist (especially with one who is not trained in aquatics) and being stretched in the water, with the shoulder underwater - AND they are high risk for dislocation- meaning that their joint is deformed and the capsule is already loose (as proven by evaluation by a bpi specialist) this type of situation IS whether you want to believe or not, risky.

from an article found here in the awareness section written by Cathy Feeny PT:

http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2003aquatic.html

"Because of the specific property of the water in that it can temporarily create more joint space, one needs to be aware that there is a greater risk of dislocation in the water. If there already is a dislocation or subluxation in any of the upper extremity joints, one should consult with a brachial plexus specialist and/or therapist for specific motions that need to be avoided or done with great care. There may also be specific pieces of equipment that need to be avoided as well."

There may be cases Christy, where it's not worth the risk - like the case where a child has severe joint deformity and already has had surgery and is still at risk. That parent may want to consult with her bpi specialist about it and learn more about what movements to avoid to reduce the risk.

Thank you for clarifying - I understand better what you are saying now - we all need to help eachother here - and thanks for your input. I also believe that if you look for things to be worried about - you will find them, and might not ever go outside again!
Christy

Awareness allows us to make informed choices.

I rather know that there is a risk so that I can make an informed decision, then not know that there is a risk and have my choice taken away because someone else decided that it wasn't important for me to know.

By informing people about a possible risk, they can then ask their bpi specialist what particular movement might be contraindicated specific to their child (if anything). Their kid can then go into the water and have a blast, the therapist knows that this one thing or that one thing is contraindicated, and the child has success and mommy and daddy are happy, too. It's a win/win.

one thing to add, not sure if it was mentioned....

if you are using the pool for strength-building to help muscle imbalances, remember to isolate the exercises. For example, if you are moving the arms out and in front (like a butterfly) as an exercise to build strength, remember if you do it out AND back you are working on both the biceps and the triceps, so you are not helping the muscle imbalance situation. (You are developing both muscles at the same time).

Just one thing to add that we encountered, so for those that are going it without a trained therapist...keep that in mind. You might want to check with your land PT as to what muscles you want to focus on in the pool and then get suggestions for isolated exercises.

I understand what you all are saying. James hasnt had any formal water therapy, just playing in the pool over the summer. His therapy now just includes ROM and e-stim. Water therapy has never been mentioned. I guess I am the #1 overprotective parent, but I am trying to do better, but I have always let my kids play sports and do whatever theyve wanted, within reason, but I still worry. I think if any parent didnt worry, Id worry about them, LOL!

My daughter is 14 years old with a totally functional BPI, she has recently been conditioning for swim team and unfortunately for the first time, practice 20 laps of butterfly from that point (the last week), her arm hurt and "hitched" when she was swimming any stroke. She is taking a break before swim team this week, and we are seeing a specialist. She has always loved swimming (freestyle/backstroke). ...will she be able to swim and compete? Is swimming bad for BPI? We will not do anymore butterfly, so hopefully that will help. We are followed by an excellent apecialist in Philadelphia.