hi all its been a while since i posted. i've been really busy since going back to work fulltime. my question is i haven't wore a sling now for about 4 mos. there has not been any improvement in my arm its just that i dont like to wear one unless i'm doing something active ( playing tennis, running, etc. ) will this cause more damage from the dead arm just hanging all the time or is this o.k to do. i was never told one way or the other. only after my nerve graft surgery did i HAVE to wear it for 4 or 6 weeks i forget. i hope i am not causing more damage. if anyone could give me feedback or if you do or dont wear a sling i would appreciate it. god bless everyone.
jim trbpi
slings
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: slings
The "dead" weight of the arm along with the lack of muscle strength can slowly make the shoulder subluxate (partially dislocate) and once that happens there is not much that can be done...
I would wear the sling and ask a doctor or PT.... my opinion.
Marieke
I would wear the sling and ask a doctor or PT.... my opinion.
Marieke
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jennyb
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.
Re: slings
Hi Jim
I wore a sling for the first few weeks but the doctor told me it would lead to joints seizing because of lack of movement in them, even a flail arm swinging passively does exercise shoulder and elbow joints. It also looks more normal, quite an issue for me then as a 21 year old.
Whether or not subluxation occurs is very dependent on your injury, I've had a totally flail arm for 26 years and no subluxation, so I don't think that's going to happen to me. However, the weight dangling off your neck and shoulder all that time does have a long term effect and my shoulder and neck do get quite sore nowadays. I'm 48 and so far it's nowhere near unbearable (and not even a drop in the bucket compared to the lightning bolt/deep fat fryer nerve pain) so I'm happy with my decision not to wear a sling long term. However, I'm getting very tired of inadvertently hurting the bpi arm/hand, and as the joint pain etc can only get worse I honestly wish I'd amputated my arm years ago.
Hope that helps some, but it's only my experience.
Take care
Jen NZ :0)
I wore a sling for the first few weeks but the doctor told me it would lead to joints seizing because of lack of movement in them, even a flail arm swinging passively does exercise shoulder and elbow joints. It also looks more normal, quite an issue for me then as a 21 year old.
Whether or not subluxation occurs is very dependent on your injury, I've had a totally flail arm for 26 years and no subluxation, so I don't think that's going to happen to me. However, the weight dangling off your neck and shoulder all that time does have a long term effect and my shoulder and neck do get quite sore nowadays. I'm 48 and so far it's nowhere near unbearable (and not even a drop in the bucket compared to the lightning bolt/deep fat fryer nerve pain) so I'm happy with my decision not to wear a sling long term. However, I'm getting very tired of inadvertently hurting the bpi arm/hand, and as the joint pain etc can only get worse I honestly wish I'd amputated my arm years ago.
Hope that helps some, but it's only my experience.
Take care
Jen NZ :0)
Re: slings
Dustin tried 2 different styles of slings after the accident. His shoulder had sublexed about 2 fingers and they were hoping to stop that. The first was like a cuff that went around the top of the arm and had adjustable straps that made it so we could pull the arm back closer to where it belonged. It could be worn under clothing and didn't restrict movement other than the shoulder. The second had a support that went under the hand and kept the arm in a more natural position. This one allowed the arm to swing like normal while walking. They thought that would help to wake up the nerve brain contact. However when he asked the BP team at Mayo they said it wasn't necessary to wear one. So he quit. His shoulder has strengthened enough that the sublexation is gone. But still no functional movement.
Sue
Sue
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cbe411
- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:27 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: MVA in 2001, nerve graph in 2002, Median Nerve Transfer in 2004 and an unsuccessful Gracillis Muscle Transfer in 2006. I am living life and loving it! Feel free to contact me :)
- Location: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Contact:
Re: slings
I wore a sling for 2 1/2 years... hated every minute of it! Wish I never would have! Yes after ops you deffo need to!!
When I work out, I am getting back into running, I wear a sling, just a regualar one (http://www.armsling.com/) (Love these) and have it so that my hand is up by my shoulder, if that makes sense. It seems to work pretty good! It still flops a bit but not too much!!
As far as not wearing one doing more damage.. I would call your doc and ask straight away! I do not think it will, hell most of us dont wear them, some, like jenny never wore them! I personally think it is your preference!!
Hope this heps!!
Courtney
When I work out, I am getting back into running, I wear a sling, just a regualar one (http://www.armsling.com/) (Love these) and have it so that my hand is up by my shoulder, if that makes sense. It seems to work pretty good! It still flops a bit but not too much!!
As far as not wearing one doing more damage.. I would call your doc and ask straight away! I do not think it will, hell most of us dont wear them, some, like jenny never wore them! I personally think it is your preference!!
Hope this heps!!
Courtney
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jpixstix
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:56 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: TBPI Feb 12, 2006 Right arm dominat affected. Quad accident. Hit by snowmobile. Don't remember much. Multiple broken bones in arm , severed arteries , head injury.
- Location: Philadelphia
Re: slings
thank you everyone for the feedback. it all was very informative. i do have a sublexed shoulder now and have had it for 10 months. any sling i wore did not help with this and i was very uncomfortable wearing one( and very self conscience about wearing one) it just seems like you have to tell the story every time you met someone new. what happened to your arm? i hated that. now that i dont wear one people dont ask, not that they dont notice it, i guess they just wonder. anyhow i hate trying to explain this injury. i've come a long way since my injury, as everybody has on these boards. and i'm very thankful to have found this site and all of you. i'm guilty of lurking and not posting or replying but i'm going to work on that. thanks again and god bless
jim
jim
Re: slings
Being fresh from Mayo BP reconstruction surgery on the 4th and asking Dr. Spinner & Shin that direct question - after the 3weeks required immobilization should I sling it or hang it? They said it would be my preference of comfort, that I could not damage myself either way.
FYI
FYI
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Ryan's mom
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:46 pm
Re: slings
Ahhh. The great sling debate. When Ryan's accident fist accured when he was ten I wouldn't let him out of the house without his sling. I was terrified that he was going to fall and break his arm and not know or It would make his shoulder worse. Eventually Ryan stopped wearing it because it was so uncomfortable and he was regularly asked what happened to his arm. Every injury is unique and every answer is correct. I can tell you Ryan has not worn a sling in 4 years and his shoulder did not suffer because of that. He had total avulsion of all nerves and also has horner's syndrome. His right arm is flacid and shoulder droops. He is much happier not wearing his sling and I have to respect that. I know though after his surgery it was imperitive that he keep his sling on for the required amount of time for healing. Check with your doctor and do what makes you the most comfortable and healthy. Peace!! Renee
Re: slings
I use to wear a sling everytime I was in a large group. It made people more aware of that side. I did not get bumped into as much. I stopped because the sling was more uncomfortable then being bumped into! I had been told by the doctor to wear one anytime I needed the support. But, that I should not wear one all the time because of the possibility of a frozen shoulder.
I have been looking for one that will keep my shoulder in place (offer support) while I shop or work out. This is when I notice the biggest problem. The weight of my arm pulls on my neck and shoulder causing pain, numbness and all that fun stuff. I need to start going to the gym. Yet I hesitate because I don't know how to support the arm, shoulder and hand.
Any suggestions? Courtney, do you find that the regular sling gives you the support you need while working out? Do you pull it up tight against your body?
I have been looking for one that will keep my shoulder in place (offer support) while I shop or work out. This is when I notice the biggest problem. The weight of my arm pulls on my neck and shoulder causing pain, numbness and all that fun stuff. I need to start going to the gym. Yet I hesitate because I don't know how to support the arm, shoulder and hand.
Any suggestions? Courtney, do you find that the regular sling gives you the support you need while working out? Do you pull it up tight against your body?
Joy in FL is now living in Georgia!
Left TBI on October 31, 1991
Left TBI on October 31, 1991
Re: slings
Most people find it really difficult not only to make the decision whether to use a sling, but which one to use, and in what circumstances. 'One size/use' certainly doesn't fit all, therefore, many people devise their own and either make them themselves or get others to make them up. Have a look at Onepaws set up to get an idea. http://www.tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/on ... _arm1.html
We had a lady (ex occupational therapist who has set up a business making slings braces etc) come to our meeting in the UK last year, and she was very knowledgeable about the injury and produced a few slings for anyone who wanted try on. It did help a lot to actually get hands on experience and 'try before you buy' and I hope she will come back with more of them at the next meeting in August.
Each persons opinion on whether or not to wear a sling is as individual as the injury itself almost, and nothing really can replace actually seeing and trying these things.
If every person with a TBPI who turns up at the UBPN camp this year each brings along a sling or brace for others to try, this will be of enourmous help to those who have questions.
Personally, I never wear one, apart from directly after surgery when it is a MUST particularly if you have had nerve grafts!
My reasons for not using one are similar to Jens.
I do believe that letting the arm swing naturally helps with the circulation, whether you are subluxed or not (I am)and I also cannot stand the look of the thing, even the so called 'invisible' ones hold the arm at a weird angle and people still notice, but the MAJOR reason I never wear one is the psychological one...every day with my arm loose, I feel confident and I totally forget that 'the arm' is there...as soon as I put on a sling, I seem to put on a kind of 'disabled' coat and consequently feel depressed. I do however rest the arm when I can by putting it on a table or the arm of a chair etc etc I find that does help a lot with the drag on the shoulder.
Hope to see some of you guys at the UBPN camp! Check out the forum on here for details!
Lizzzy F
We had a lady (ex occupational therapist who has set up a business making slings braces etc) come to our meeting in the UK last year, and she was very knowledgeable about the injury and produced a few slings for anyone who wanted try on. It did help a lot to actually get hands on experience and 'try before you buy' and I hope she will come back with more of them at the next meeting in August.
Each persons opinion on whether or not to wear a sling is as individual as the injury itself almost, and nothing really can replace actually seeing and trying these things.
If every person with a TBPI who turns up at the UBPN camp this year each brings along a sling or brace for others to try, this will be of enourmous help to those who have questions.
Personally, I never wear one, apart from directly after surgery when it is a MUST particularly if you have had nerve grafts!
My reasons for not using one are similar to Jens.
I do believe that letting the arm swing naturally helps with the circulation, whether you are subluxed or not (I am)and I also cannot stand the look of the thing, even the so called 'invisible' ones hold the arm at a weird angle and people still notice, but the MAJOR reason I never wear one is the psychological one...every day with my arm loose, I feel confident and I totally forget that 'the arm' is there...as soon as I put on a sling, I seem to put on a kind of 'disabled' coat and consequently feel depressed. I do however rest the arm when I can by putting it on a table or the arm of a chair etc etc I find that does help a lot with the drag on the shoulder.
Hope to see some of you guys at the UBPN camp! Check out the forum on here for details!
Lizzzy F