Katie-As far as ROM breakdown:
Overhead, he is great. The m/t surgery made a WORLD of difference. I think they had said around 90%. It took a few years of strengthening to get him there, but we are very pleased with overhead movement.
He can get a bit past neutral for external rotation when they isolate his correct muscle. When he compensates with his other muscles he can get further out. Before the m/t surgery he couldn't even compensate to get his arm out there, so I am pretty pleased with that outcome as well.
He is around neutral for wrist extension. He wears a nightime splint to keep it from going into waiter's tip (something he's prone to do still when resting).
He's at neutral for supination, but it's functional. He used to wear supination straps till he turned 3 and then he was able to get it to neutral.
He still doesn't do the snow-angel movement and he can not get his arm behind his back or at his back at all. It makes pants difficult, but I keep him in elastic waist ones and so he just uses his uninjured arm to pull up and down his undies and pants. We don't even own jeans because it's too frustrating for him.
JC adapts really well and figures out ways to manage most of the time. Our Kiddos are so smart! He is in gymnastics and the instructor makes all the difference. He pushes JC and makes him try everything and makes sure he tries a few times with both arms (smart kiddos will do things one-handed if they realize it's easier... JC can be bad about this) before reverting to his uninjured arm. He also made the class activities involve big arm and shoulder movement. I believe this has helped JC a lot with strengthening.
He also does OT and AT and sees the pediatric chiropractor. He usually has a great attitude about working hard. Every now and then he'll get discouraged, but I remind him that he is just like Nemo (from Finding Nemo... our family's fav. movie) and that he is so special and sometimes has to work harder at things and not give up. They both have Lucky Fins! Our motto is "Never say 'I can't', Say 'I will try' ".
At home we have a playground with a rock wall, ramp, rope ladder, etc. that we have him play on daily. To help him get stronger and use both arms together. We also k-tape him at home. Taking a break from ESTIM for now.
To go from only raising his arm an inch off the ground and moving 3 fingers slightly as an infant to where he is now, is humbling to think about. He works so hard, but the benefits of that are amazing. It makes me thankful that we've pushed him and not let him give up when he gets mad. Somedays I get a bit sad for him, but try to not let that show. We all have hardships that we must deal with in life and I just hope this is his one. We were given the interesting/hard/special/blessed task with figuring out how to give these BP kiddos the tools to deal with it from such an early age. It can be overwhelming, so take pictures of everything going on starting from an early age, so your kiddo can look back on this time and know you worked like a dog for them!!! haha.
yay yay yay...I pray he improves..thanks for the encouragement,I love hearing all the positive updates and therapy that every one uses.All the help ...helps 