Hi all,
Hope all is well.Posted this on TBPI (UK) a few days ago.Like to see what everyone on this side of the pond thinks.Like to start by saying hope Liz and all involved are coping.Wish them well.It's not easy...
I know we are not doctors (?),but I finally recieved my doctors notes explaining the extent of my tbpi at this point.This will be a little long of a post,but please read thru.I value all of your opinions greatly.I hope to get up a list of questions of substance to take to Dr. Pelchovich on the 1st of May.This is the first time I've seen anything explaining my injury,so here we go.
10.10.2005 3 days after injury.Left forearm remains with edema.Did not really appreciate any gross atrophy across left shoulder girdle.With gravity removed can now flex at elbow.Tricep function coming back,rate it as 3+/5.Plegic for any finger or wrist movement.Arm is pronated.Proximal strength has improved.Still no feeling from shoulder down.No test at this time.Suspicion is that we are dealing with lower brachial plexus injury along the line of a Klumke's paralysis.
01.26.06...Has improved.Good left shoulder shrug.Can abduct left arm to 70 degrees.Tried to passivly move arm to full foward flexion as well as complete lateral abduction,and there is adhesive capsulitis.Can activate triceps so that arm can be brought to full extension.Cannot bring forearm to flexion.Plegic for wrist and hand extension,as well as flexion.No intrinsic hand muscle strength.No feeling below shoulder.(Severe lower brachial plexus injury).
02.22.2006...Remains with significant weakness in left upper exremity,as well as significant pain.
Prceeded with nerve conduction studies of left upper extremity,and they were grossly abnormal,with complete absence of median and ulnar potentials.Consistant with severe axonal loss.EMG was accomplished,evaluating the cervical paraspinal muscles,which were normal.Helpful in elinating the possibility of cervical root avulsion.Complete lack of any voluntary contraction of the muscles of the hand or forearm,as well as biceps and triceps.deltoid showed voluntary contraction and was normal.Acute denervation was seen diffusely in a C6,7,8 distribution.These nerve conduction studies and EMG are consistent with severe brachial plexus injury at least affecting the C6,7 and 8 roots,without avulsion.The upper plexus seems to be spared.
At this point patient has a severe impairment of the left upper extremity.Additional impairments because the severity of pain.
O.K. end of story.Most of you have been thru a lot worse than me.Thats why I am showing you all this.Can we break this down into plain English.I here everyone talking this kind of stuff all the time.I kinda get it.And I kinda don't.Any hand on (get it..ok not funny) advice,experince and so on would be great.Tell me what you think.I am all ears.
Thanks everyone!!
Marshall
Doctors notes on C6,7,8...and more ??
Re: Doctors notes on C6,7,8...and more ??
Hi Marshall,
It sounds as if there was some improvement over the timeframe of your checkups. There is some terminology in there I'm not familiar with, but the main point I wanted to make is that none of these tests are conclusive. i.e. it isn't until a surgeon goes in that the full nature & extent of injury is known.
My son John never developed Horner's syndrone (droopy eyelid) and doctors interpreted that to mean he might not have full avulsions. Mayo even thought one of the bpi nerves might have been spared. Ends up, though, that all five nerves were avulsed.
I'm the one who lives in Atlanta, and wish I could come see you when you have your May 1 appt. You'll only be a block (literally!) from my house - but I'll be working up in Alpharetta, too far away to come back. If you come back for subsequent appts with Peljovich, I might stop by since I'll begin working closer to home week after next.
Hope some others can help you with the specifics you want - but if not, you'll learn a lot more Monday.
Take care,
Ellen
It sounds as if there was some improvement over the timeframe of your checkups. There is some terminology in there I'm not familiar with, but the main point I wanted to make is that none of these tests are conclusive. i.e. it isn't until a surgeon goes in that the full nature & extent of injury is known.
My son John never developed Horner's syndrone (droopy eyelid) and doctors interpreted that to mean he might not have full avulsions. Mayo even thought one of the bpi nerves might have been spared. Ends up, though, that all five nerves were avulsed.
I'm the one who lives in Atlanta, and wish I could come see you when you have your May 1 appt. You'll only be a block (literally!) from my house - but I'll be working up in Alpharetta, too far away to come back. If you come back for subsequent appts with Peljovich, I might stop by since I'll begin working closer to home week after next.
Hope some others can help you with the specifics you want - but if not, you'll learn a lot more Monday.
Take care,
Ellen
-
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:33 pm
Re: Doctors notes on C6,7,8...and more ??
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for the input there.I hope Johns doing well.I do have Horners also.Which concerns me about my Dr.s conclusions so far.Angie (Chris) mom is meeting me on the 1st.Chris has a 2pm app.Angie and familly live up in Alpharetta I believe.
I just hope that the length of time since my accident doesn't ruin my chances for some sort of recovery.
Thanks for all your help.=).
Marshall
Thanks for the input there.I hope Johns doing well.I do have Horners also.Which concerns me about my Dr.s conclusions so far.Angie (Chris) mom is meeting me on the 1st.Chris has a 2pm app.Angie and familly live up in Alpharetta I believe.
I just hope that the length of time since my accident doesn't ruin my chances for some sort of recovery.
Thanks for all your help.=).
Marshall