It's a slow and tedious process, but the bicep tendon lengthening surgery is working. I just hit my half way mark with my arm in a cast. 5 more weeks to go!
My arm had about a 35(ish) degree contracture and now measures about 17 degrees. Passively, my OT can stretch it to at least 10 degrees, but my joint still springs back.
But anyway it's exciting! It's funny, because now that my arm is straighter and has to stay in a cast... it's harder to do the things that arm was always good at. i.e. buttening pants, doing my hair (right now it's all about hats and headbands), and even drinking out of a cup. My left hand has had to take over during this period. Guess it just makes me grateful for the function I have had in my right arm.
Quite the adventure.. and as you can imagine, I'm educating dozens of people on brachial plexus injuries. Lots o' fun!
Have a great day everyone!!
-Staci McKay (26)
SLC
ROBPI
yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
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admin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19873
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
Staci,
That is great news. Hope it only continues to get better.
I was amazed at how quickly I adjusted to having new function after my surgery. Things I had never been able to do became second nature.
Keep on educating people!
Nancy Birk
UBPN President
That is great news. Hope it only continues to get better.
I was amazed at how quickly I adjusted to having new function after my surgery. Things I had never been able to do became second nature.
Keep on educating people!
Nancy Birk
UBPN President
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
That is GREAT news!! I noticed too when my OBPI arm was in its splint how much I missed my arm. It may not do much, but it was sure missed when it was gone!
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
Great news Staci! You are an inspiration especially in "endurance" of the Casting Period.
You GO, Girl!! Keep on educating people. Maybe WE..BPI FAMILY...will be the ones to eradicate this BIRTH INJURY thru education and spreading Awareness visually when in casts!
HUGS!,
Carolyn J
You GO, Girl!! Keep on educating people. Maybe WE..BPI FAMILY...will be the ones to eradicate this BIRTH INJURY thru education and spreading Awareness visually when in casts!
HUGS!,
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
Staci,
Thats awesome! I am glad that you are getting results from your surgery and as for the cast, I think you are amazing! I only had one fort 4 weeks last year and thatwas definitely enough, I missed my hand so much. Its doesnt do a whole lot but when you cant use it at all, that makes a huge difference.
I hope you keep seeing awesome results!!!
Good Luck,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN
Thats awesome! I am glad that you are getting results from your surgery and as for the cast, I think you are amazing! I only had one fort 4 weeks last year and thatwas definitely enough, I missed my hand so much. Its doesnt do a whole lot but when you cant use it at all, that makes a huge difference.
I hope you keep seeing awesome results!!!
Good Luck,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
Staci
This is amazing! I am so happy to hear the good news.
Kath robpi/adult
This is amazing! I am so happy to hear the good news.
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
Re: yeah..my arm's getting straighter!
Congratulations, Stacy! Keep on improving!
I echo Amy's post. Years ago I had tendon transfer surgery on my BPI arm to correct a droop wrist. The cast was on for four weeks. It was a plaster cast, so my arm was totally immobile from just above my elbow, all the way to my fingertips. Boy, did I miss the small amount of use I had from that arm!
Joanie
I echo Amy's post. Years ago I had tendon transfer surgery on my BPI arm to correct a droop wrist. The cast was on for four weeks. It was a plaster cast, so my arm was totally immobile from just above my elbow, all the way to my fingertips. Boy, did I miss the small amount of use I had from that arm!
Joanie