United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Kate, I'm glad you posted that reply. After I read it, I realized that's probably the procedure Cheri was referring to and I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks.

~Tina

Hi All;
Katie's tendon transfers were in her upper arm, it is to help improve her external rotation and supination. The tendons were the latisimus dorsi and teres major. I was told that she will have to have intensive therapy post cast (possibly 5 days a week with the PT and several times a day at home) but they didn't seem concerned that she couldn't handle it. Her cast comes off on the 26th (6 more days!!! YEAH!!!) I can keep you posted a little more then as I'll actually know what's going on. She is to wear a splint at night for 6 months after the cast comes off. I don't know if I cleared anything up or not.

I'll be sure to keep you up to date Tina and everyone!

Hope all is well!

Cheri, Mom to Katie, 3, LOBPI

Kate, you are right. I was talking about hand and forearm transfers. It is more difficult right out of surgery after the forearm/hand transfer. They have to understand that they have to do therapy for the best benefit of that surgery.

Georgeann,

Next week my daughter is going to have a tendon transferred from the pinkie side of her wrist to the thumb side to help put her wrist in a better position and to help with wrist extension. I'm not sure what type of tendon transfer you are talking about, but I can let you know how we make out. She will be in a cast for 3 weeks and then a static splint for several months. A possible tendon transfer for her thumb would be done when she is older.

good luck to all! Keep us posted.

Peggy

Julie, They are talking about tendon work for his thumb (for him to move it out) and last three digits (to get a grasp). He currently has pincher grasp to hold a spoon or a piece of paper. I think we are going to estim and look at surgery in spring. Good luck to you guys and keep us informed. Georgeann

Cheri, thanks for clarifying. Sorry that I misunderstood. It's very common to have that type of surgery at that age, thought you were talking about something else. I hope the cast removal goes well tomorrow. If you have the opportunity, it'd be great to get Katie in some warm water -- a heated therapy pool of possible or at least a warm bath. You might want to ask the dr. if it's okay for her to wear the nighttime splint for a few hours in the day if needed (if it's too painful for her to go all day w/o the support of a splint at first), esp. if she's in any kind of daycare or preschool setting. Also, if there's any exposed velcro on the splint, you might ask for extra padding to cover it up and / or put an adult sized sock over the splint at night so the velcro doesn't catch on anything (esp. on a blanket).

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net, Mom to Nicole (6 1/2 y.o. w/LOBPI) & Joshua (1 1/2 y.o. w/NOBPI)

oops, should say "IF possible" :O)

Dr. Kozin at shriners told me to wait until my daughter was at least 3 so that she could help with the therapy.

That is with the shoulder tendon transfer surgery that I was told to wait until 3. She just turned 3. She will be scheduled for the surgery in January.