My TBPI was around seven years ago. I fell on ice and had a dislocation/fracture of humerus. The dislocation was disdiagnosed for 24 hours and it pressed on the brachial plexus to cause a severe injury. Totally flaccid arm for around a year. I've had 3 tendon transfers and 1 shoulder surgery. I still have numbness, pain and unable to spread my fingers apart or straighten them. Over the last month I had developed pain in my unaffected arm (hand). The Dr doesn't know if it is residual nerve damage or if it is overcomensation for my left BPI. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thank you
Kathy
Now developing pain in unaffected arm
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
In 7 years, this is the third time I have tried to be a part of this group. I ask legitimate questions and there is never a response. This is a very closed group. Why can't new people join in?
Kat
Kat
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brandonsmom
- Posts: 1401
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
I am the mother of a child with an Obstetrical injury. I have noticed that the Traumatic boards have been a little slow during the week and the weekends are much worse. I am sure that you will get some responses today !!!! Gayle mom of Brandon 8 1/2 ROPBI
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
HI, and welcome to the boards. I usually find I get more response on the general board. Haven't responded to this question as my sons injury is only 19 mos and he has no pain. He is lucky so far, no pain in either arm so I don't know what to tell you. There are others that may be able to answer you better. Many do have pain in the unaffected arm from overuse do to the injury.
Sue
Sue
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
I would ask for an EMG to be done to see if you have carpel tunnel problems before doing anything else. Having to use the one good hand for nearly everything, this could be the issue.
Wendy
Wendy
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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
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
Can you be more specific about your pain. How it feels (throbbing, aching, pinching, pins & needles, burning, flesh being torn off, stabbing, crushing, frying, etc.) How does it compare to the pain you feel in your left BPI arm? This might give more of an indication if it's neuropathic pain or joint orthopedic pain.
Just out of curiosity, because you stated that no one can join in because this is such a closed group, have you tried answering anyone else's questions and helping out yourself? Maybe no one answered your questions because no one had an answer. Just a thought. By the way, I'd give my house and all the money I've ever made to NOT be part of this group! This injury bites!
Just out of curiosity, because you stated that no one can join in because this is such a closed group, have you tried answering anyone else's questions and helping out yourself? Maybe no one answered your questions because no one had an answer. Just a thought. By the way, I'd give my house and all the money I've ever made to NOT be part of this group! This injury bites!
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
Kathy, I am sorry we/I have not responded. Sometimes I don't respond because I may not know what to say. However, this time I do.
Yes, I have issues with my right side. My injury is on the left side. Mine is over use issues. It is something that we all have to be very aware of and be very careful of. I will do the same exercise for my right side as I do my left side when it starts to act up. Luckily I have been able to control the over use issues, so far!
Not being a doctor I can not address the residual nerve damage. If I were in your position I would certainly explore that and rule it out.
If you have any more questions feel free to contact me via email.
Joy
Yes, I have issues with my right side. My injury is on the left side. Mine is over use issues. It is something that we all have to be very aware of and be very careful of. I will do the same exercise for my right side as I do my left side when it starts to act up. Luckily I have been able to control the over use issues, so far!
Not being a doctor I can not address the residual nerve damage. If I were in your position I would certainly explore that and rule it out.
If you have any more questions feel free to contact me via email.
Joy
Joy in FL is now living in Georgia!
Left TBI on October 31, 1991
Left TBI on October 31, 1991
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
First let me apologize for rude "2nd" comment on here, and thank you for welcoming me.
I went to the doctor yesterday and got the results of the MRI and EMG. Good news, no nerve damage (in the unaffected arm); however I have developed a volar ganglion cyst on my wrist and I have a lot of inflammation in the tendons. So, I'm on steroids (again) for 2 weeks. I have a splint to wear in the daytime and a compression glove at night and back to dr. in 3 weeks. I didn't even ask if the cyst had to come out - please not another surgery. All of this is from over use, repetitive motion. I did quit my job last week and he said that was a good thing, he thought my wrist and hand would appreciate that. I worked mostly on the computer (one-handed) and the mouse was killing my hand.
Thanks again, Kathy - and to the responder who said it was my job to respond to others - you are right. You have to be a friend to have a friend. I will try to join right in.
I went to the doctor yesterday and got the results of the MRI and EMG. Good news, no nerve damage (in the unaffected arm); however I have developed a volar ganglion cyst on my wrist and I have a lot of inflammation in the tendons. So, I'm on steroids (again) for 2 weeks. I have a splint to wear in the daytime and a compression glove at night and back to dr. in 3 weeks. I didn't even ask if the cyst had to come out - please not another surgery. All of this is from over use, repetitive motion. I did quit my job last week and he said that was a good thing, he thought my wrist and hand would appreciate that. I worked mostly on the computer (one-handed) and the mouse was killing my hand.
Thanks again, Kathy - and to the responder who said it was my job to respond to others - you are right. You have to be a friend to have a friend. I will try to join right in.
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
Well glad to you decided to join in. I wouldn't worry about the rude comment too much. We all need to vent from time to time.
Just wanted to say I am glad to hear the pain in the unaffected arm is not nerve pain. Good luck with the cyst and keep us informed.
Sue
Just wanted to say I am glad to hear the pain in the unaffected arm is not nerve pain. Good luck with the cyst and keep us informed.
Sue
Re: Now developing pain in unaffected arm
Kathy, another idea to help ease the overuse of your good arm / hand. You might consider getting voice recognition software like Dragon Naturally Speaking (I got for a deal on ebay). You "teach" it to recognize your voice & it types what you say. The more advanced software can do a ton of shortcut commands, work in excel & other applications also.
Good luck & keep us posted.
Ellen
Good luck & keep us posted.
Ellen