BP injury stall walking in babies?

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
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bonniedrews
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:31 pm

BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by bonniedrews »

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone out there has had a child with brachial plexus injury have a surgery to correct it. and if so did the injury seem to have a effect on them walking? My 11 month and 3 week daughter is only pulling herself up to her knees, and the therapist are worried about the fact that she is not putting weight into her legs, they said that for certain if she is not standing on her own in a month to a month and a half that she would then have to see another therapist. I'm very worried about this, I feel like when it rains it pours. I almost find myself asking what did we do to deserve all this? any responses would be great.
thanks,
Bonnie
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brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by brandonsmom »

My son had two surgeries before he walked at 16 1/2 months old(I THINK) it may have been 15 1/2 months. But then he just got up and walked, I am sorry ....RAN and hasn't stopped since !~!!!!
GAYLE mom of BRANDON 9 ROBPI
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: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by Carolyn J »

I believe there is a "Late walking" Topic Thread on the "Adults and Teens with OBPI" Message Board also. There were a number of us Adults that had a delayed walking milestone.

Everyone is welcome to read and post questions on any of the Message Boards.

HUgs, :)
Carolyn J
LOBPI/69


Message was edited by: Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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F-Litz
Posts: 970
Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 6:53 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, LTBPI at age 6.5, Sensory Issues, CP, Diaphragm Weakness, Aspberger's
Location: Ambler, PA

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by F-Litz »

There is a type of exam that was suggested for our daughter when she was little and very delayed in many areas - it is called a Neuro Psych exam. Basically your child sees a Developmental Pediatrician or a number of specialists and they determine what all the diagnoses are.

Delays may or may not be because of the bpi but may just be an outcome of a traumatic birth.

Best of luck,
francine
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: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by Kath »

I think children walk when they are ready.
My mother said I was walking and climbing at 9 months.
I fell a lot be kept trying.

All of my own children were walking alone and sure footed by the time they were 9 month old.

I never thought being obpi could delay walking. I always thought it was a matter of strength and desire.

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
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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: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by hope16_05 »

I would not worry much. Some kids are just late walkers. My sisters nephew didnt walk until 16 months and he is just fine. My nephew walked at about 12 months (biologically, they are brothers, but my sister adopted my nephew so they are cousins) there can be such a huge difference in children! And both these boys are developmentally fine, no injuries or problems of any sort.

Relax, you daughter will walk when she is ready! Take this time to encourage hands and knees, this should help her joints develop.

Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
claudia
Posts: 1241
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2001 12:21 pm

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by claudia »

Bonnie:
I agree that kids walk when they are ready. My oldest walked at 15 months and only because she was bribed with M&Ms! I think she would STILL be holding my hand and she is almost 15 years old now!!!

The one thing this injury did to Juliana, in terms of walking, was effect her gait. Although she pulled up and walked with in "normal limits" (she walked at a year), she did not walk properly. She walked like a crab. She put almost no weight on her left (affected side) leg. She stood, while playing, on her right foot and her left big toe. Coupled with how her arm looked then (internally rotated, bent at the elbow, bent at the wrist), she looked like she had cp. We had a great physical therapist who played all kinds of fun games with her to encourage walking on two feet. It took years. Her running gait was off until she was at least 6 years old. Her balance was awful.

And yes, she had primary at 4.5 months, mod quad at 14.5 months and bls at 39 months. We did therapy 4-5 days a week.

Just fast forward a few years: she is now 8 years old. She plays tennis twice a week, she rides a two-wheeler, plays all sorts of sports, swims...all, pretty much, with one hand and a helper hand.

good luck,
claudia
cassidysmom
Posts: 167
Joined: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:56 pm

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by cassidysmom »

Hi Bonnie

my daughter Cassidy walked late...she was eighteen months. Cassidy also had primary surgery. Cassidy's therapists were also worried about her not bearing weight on her legs,so they gave me exercises to do with her to help her quads to get stronger. Cassidy scooted on her bum from ten months on and had built up her hamstrings but not her quads. The exercises that they had me do were squats...have your daughter sit on your knee and say "one two three up" guide her up and then "one two three down" and help her down eventually she will know what the game is and do it herself. We did this at least three times a day. I found that it really helped Cassidy.
I felt the same way you did when they told me that they were concerned about her legs....I thought great now this injury has affected her legs too...what else???
and it seems like there is an exercise for everything but it really did help...
hope this helps a little
Dawn, mom to Cassidy 20 months ROBPI
jordan1

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by jordan1 »

My son is 1yr and 8mths and he was walking before his first birthday. Nothing stops that kid and he has a Global BP. But his OT really works with him on doing a lot of things for himself.
AK1999
Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2001 1:47 am

Re: BP injury stall walking in babies?

Post by AK1999 »

My daughter walked after her first birthday. We wanted her to crawl crawl crawl anyway for weight bearing. We did do excercises such as playing on her knees or make sure she is weight bearing evenly on both legs when she did walk. Ours fixed her uninjured arm bent at the elbow to her body in order to stabilize.

Hang in there!
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