One arm longer than the other

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
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BarryT
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:46 pm

One arm longer than the other

Post by BarryT »

Discovered after viewing old photos that my mother apparently buttoned my sweaters unevenly.On more than a few shots my sweater is raised higher over my right shoulder than my left.Years later I discovered I was unable to wear v-neck type sweaters because not unlike when I was a younger child they slid off my right shoulder.Now when I look at myself in a mirror its quite obvious my right arm is shorter then the left.On my right shoulder were the shoulder bone and the arm bone meet there is raised area.Appears as if my shoulder was pushed up and dislocated.Have a great deal of pain in this area down into arm and hand.I've had a great deal of difficult with my cervical spine.Unable to move my neck from side to side.Rarely drive anymore

I've had horner's syndrome and carple tunnel syndrome

My mother told me repeatidly over the years that I was a dificult delivery,I was such a large baby.Weighed nearly twelve pounds.She always told me in jest that the doctor said my shoulder were broad and that he was sure that someday I'd become a football player.

There are so many other ways that I have suffered over the years.

Does anyone understand how I feel. Thought I was doing something wrong or not trying hard enough.

BARRYT































I
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: One arm longer than the other

Post by Carolyn J »

WELCOME Barry to our UBPN Family .
You will find alot of support and information from us adults with OBPI's on the other Forum, "Message Board for Adults and Teens with Obsteprical Brachial Plexus Injuries."

However, I always learn alot from everyone on this mesage board too.

Carolyn J
LOBPI/age 69
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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: One arm longer than the other

Post by Kath »

Welcome Barry
If you go to the Adult/obpi Message Board you will find lots of people with the same injury.

I was 11 lbs. 14 oz. when I was born but my Mother had my older brother at the same weight without injury.
They knew I was going to be very big and should have preformed a C-Section...

My right arm is approx. 3-1/2" shorter than my left.
Restricted motion in your neck is not uncommon.
I still get PT to help keep my neck loose.
Welcome to the Boards.
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
jep98056
Posts: 322
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2002 10:25 pm

Re: One arm longer than the other

Post by jep98056 »

Barry;

I think you'll find that all OBPI's have shorter arm lengths. All of our injuries are different so my length difference is about 1 1/2 inches measured from the elbow. I know others, like Kath, have greater differences.

Have you spoken to a BPI specialist about your injury? You might find specific answers to your injury there, especially for your pain issues.

John P.
ROBPI for 68 years
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: One arm longer than the other

Post by Carolyn J »

Barry,
I forgot to post that I too, have a difference in length of 1 & 1/2 inches--LOBPI arm being the shaorter, pof course.
Let us know how you're doing, Okay??

Carolyn J
LOBPI/adult over-aged ;)
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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