United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Kate - you cannot compare children. Every child's injury is different. So far you have been going about this very scientifically and actually I'm quite impressed that you are now asking moms for a heart-felt opinion. But finding the answer to this may lie with pure medical model. Why not do an EMG and see if deltoids are connected or not? Find a very experienced pediatric EMG doc so that you can get the best possible actual result. I hope for the best for your son.

Kate - Tyler (who is almost 9) had no abduction before his first surgery at age 2 1/2. He has a rather severe injury, but after he had the quad, he gained a lot of abduction. Part of the quad is axillary nerve decompression (this nerve supplies the deltoid). When the surgeon did this, then tested it with intra-op EMG, he saw major improvement in conduction. Today - Tyler's abduction is really good. And Krista's right - there's so much improvement that continues throughout these first couple of years. Has Joshua ever had an EMG to show if there is any deltoid? Because if it's there, just entrapped with scar tissue or whatever - there's hope. If there is absolutely no conduction -perhaps the nerve transfer/graft would be of help.
Good luck,
Jaime

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. It's good to know that there is still hope even if we aren't seeing any delts yet. It sounds like next month we should push for an EMG in order to evaluate whether or not we should be doing something more aggressive to try to innervate them.

I'm so grateful for this group and the experiences you are all so willing to share.

Kate

Hi Kate,
I think the EMG is a good idea. It will give you a better idea as to what is actually innervated. It took Bradley A LONG time before abduction came in. It's only now that he can put his arm's out to the side and prentend to be a airplane, but he's still got a slight elbow contracture. Hang in there. It's so difficult trying to figure out this injury, what's contracted, what's innervated, which muscle is pulling against which.

Kate,

This is what makes this injury so emotionally draining. Please hang in there and know that there is still hope. I too would vote for an EMG (although you are probably well aware that they are not always so accurate) however they may provide some useful information. I would also request that a nerve conduction study be done as well and by someone who has done many on bpi children.

We will be thinking of you and wishing your child the best. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Take Care,
Lisa