United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc. • Difference in arm length?? - Page 3
Page 3 of 3

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 9:33 am
by admin
Marie40

I am not looking into any surgery to help correct this. Her injured side is correctly in place so it doesn't have anything to do with that in OUR case. I measured the arms. Her arm is 1 inch shorter than the uninjured arm no matter what the position is. I do understand what you are saying about surgery helping to re-align everything, but this isn't the case for Ella b/c her shoulder and such are all in their proper places and forms for now and I hope it remains this way! I know that down the road when Ella is older and can make decisions herself there are other surgeries to lengthen the bone if she wants that, but for now I don't think there is much of a difference by eye. Hopefully, it stays this way! Thanks so much for responding to my post.
Since your child is 8 years old can you tell me the difference in measurements on his arms? Thanks.
~Krista~

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:11 pm
by claudia
Just a comment on the leg length... did the therapists actually measure the leg length? or did they just eye ball it. Juliana had a very poor gait. And we used to measure her legs all the time--her therapists were constantly surprised that there WASN'T a difference in the actual length. She just carried herself so differently, throughout her whole body, that it looked like there was a difference. We did a lot of pt and walking on pillows to even out her gait. She can finally really run (at 5 years old), but she still falls down!

As for the speech issues... I believe in my heart of hearts that there is something that is injured that has to do with speech. Too many of us have had speech issues with our kids for there not to be. Juliana was speech delayed as well.

claudia

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:17 am
by evee
My baby was seen at Texas Childrens Hospital when he was 8 months. The doctor noticed there was a weight bearing problem so she sent him for an x-ray. Which showed that his leg was rotated inward and there was a leg length discrepancy. The therapist measured his leg from hip to knee and knee to heel. It measured 1/2 in difference. When I took him to see his Pediatrician the nurse measure each leg and also found 1/2 difference. But, when we went to Shriners Hospital they x-rayed him and measure each bone on the x-ray and found it was normal in size. Some people tell me maybe his body is shifted more to one side because of his injury and especially since his shoulder is hanging lower on injured side. I don't know cause he walks on his tip toes mostly on the left. I'm am taking back to the ortho. to find out for sure. I also think the speech, unbalanced and developemental delays are due to the brachial plexus injury.

Evee

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:21 am
by Marie40
Sorry for the delay in responding to your question
about the difference in length now.
His affected arm is about 1/2 inch shorter in length. However, there is a bigger difference in the circumference. Hope this helps.

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:23 pm
by admin
Thanks Marie40

Ella's arm/wrist is also thinner all around. Thanks for responding.

~Krista~

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:33 am
by admin
SusanLynn:

Hi I have a 24 mo old with ROBPI and I am interested in what you call baby workouts. I am always trying to find new ideas on how to help him get better and stay interested in therapy. He has had a great recovery yet he still has more to go. He does not supinate his hand at all so if you know any exercises for that I would love to hear them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me at bigbubba31745@yahoo.com. Thanks! Have a Great Day! God Bless!

AW

Re: Difference in arm length??

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:55 pm
by admin
SusanLynn

I am glad she asked this question about your activities b/c I meant to ask you to give me some of that info in detail, I guess I forgot!
and I am sorry I didn't b/c I also forgot to answer your question about how old my daughter is.
Ella is 3 years and 7 months old. I am not sure about the answers to your other questions.

~Krista~