Surgeons used to wait six months before operating, to let damaged nerves recover and not operate on something that might recoup on it's own. The problem with waiting that long is that muscles atrophy too much, especially if it takes a while from the time of surgery to the time the nerves have actually regenerated all the way back to the targeted muscles.
Up to four months is the 'new' time frame window for surgery. A lot of neurosurgeons that don't specialize in Brachial Plexus Injuries don't realize this, even the best. So it is imperative that your boyfriend see a specialist that has a history of dealing with BPI. Good luck, you're in my thoughts...
Christopher
ps I was worked on by the Mayo team, and I highly recommend giving them a try, specifically because they may help out w/costs and they're among the very very best.
no health insurance
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Christopher
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02
Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed
BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.
Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt - Location: Los Angeles, California USA