I've had Erbs Palsey since birth, but never knew the medical term until last night at a visit to my chiropracter that I've been seeing since I was 11. I just found this website and feel fortunate to know that there are other adults out there like me.
I'm trying to decide if all the problems I'm having with the lower left side of my back and my right shoulder is due to not having complete range of motion in my right arm. I use my left hand for everything, including turning the radio stations sometimes because it puts too much of a strain on my right shoulder.
Has anyone else experienced other pains because of their bpi injury? I'm 35 and I don't ever remember being in therapy, oh except for my mom telling me that the doctor told her to have me walk around with a bucket of wet sand to keep it stretched out.
What about available surgeries for adults?
Erbs Palsey
Re: Erbs Palsey
Hello Sheila and WELCOME...........
I'm glad you've found us
I am 45 and have a bilateral B.P.I. (erb's). I also felt very fortunate 2 years ago when I found this site. I have learned a great deal since coming here and have made some very good friends. I can't say(for sure)if all the problems you are having are due to your bpi, but................I do know that most of us here have developed what is termed "OverUse Syndrome" and it can happen at any stage/age with our injuries. Seems since we have over compensated and over used our "good" arms all our lives they have a tendency to at some point just say enough is enough and start having problems of their own. It is also my belief that lower back problems also have to do with this injury, since if your like me and alot of us here. We tend to contort our bodies in unnatural ways to accomplish even the most simple tasks You ask if any of us have experienced "other" pains because of our injuries hahahahahahaha Now that's a whole page of it's own lol
I have never had any surgeries, but many of us here have, so I'm sure they will answer that part of your question.
Just know that you are welcomed and understood here. Please feel free to ask anything!!! By doing this, it enables us all to understand ourselves better also.
Where are you located Sheila?? Is there a BPI specialist near you? That is the key to getting good medical advice and help. Having someone who knows and understands Brachial Plexus Injuries.
Again............I'm glad you found us
Tina
I'm glad you've found us
I am 45 and have a bilateral B.P.I. (erb's). I also felt very fortunate 2 years ago when I found this site. I have learned a great deal since coming here and have made some very good friends. I can't say(for sure)if all the problems you are having are due to your bpi, but................I do know that most of us here have developed what is termed "OverUse Syndrome" and it can happen at any stage/age with our injuries. Seems since we have over compensated and over used our "good" arms all our lives they have a tendency to at some point just say enough is enough and start having problems of their own. It is also my belief that lower back problems also have to do with this injury, since if your like me and alot of us here. We tend to contort our bodies in unnatural ways to accomplish even the most simple tasks You ask if any of us have experienced "other" pains because of our injuries hahahahahahaha Now that's a whole page of it's own lolI have never had any surgeries, but many of us here have, so I'm sure they will answer that part of your question.
Just know that you are welcomed and understood here. Please feel free to ask anything!!! By doing this, it enables us all to understand ourselves better also.
Where are you located Sheila?? Is there a BPI specialist near you? That is the key to getting good medical advice and help. Having someone who knows and understands Brachial Plexus Injuries.
Again............I'm glad you found us
Tina
Re: Erbs Palsey
Hi Sheila!
I am right BPI. Right now I'm in College. In February we phone the orthopedic surgeons office for an appointment with a shoulder specialist who is coming from Washington. Right now I am waiting for a surgeon to do a derotational ostiotomy, which is basically to turn my arm so my thumb faces forward when my arm hangs instead of to the side. I am also waiting for tendon transfers for both my arm and hand.
That is just a bit of what can be done on adults. I could also have my shoulder fused, but that is out of the question for me.
Hope this was of some help.
Erica:o)
I am right BPI. Right now I'm in College. In February we phone the orthopedic surgeons office for an appointment with a shoulder specialist who is coming from Washington. Right now I am waiting for a surgeon to do a derotational ostiotomy, which is basically to turn my arm so my thumb faces forward when my arm hangs instead of to the side. I am also waiting for tendon transfers for both my arm and hand.
That is just a bit of what can be done on adults. I could also have my shoulder fused, but that is out of the question for me.
Hope this was of some help.
Erica:o)
Re: Erbs Palsy
Hi Sheila
Glad to see you found us. I am 62 and right obpi.
I think after reading lots of posts and information you will realize that Erb's Palsy effects all parts of our body... The neck,back,shoulder,hands and even some of us have eye problems and leg problems...
Read the information on the Awareness for the Parents that will explain how this happened and what parts of your hand arm neck shoulder etc were effected.
It took me along time to understand all the terms but it was helpful because now I understand much more about why I can and cannot do thing?
I found this board two years ago and like you only knew the name Erb's Palsy.
Please ask any questions you may have nothing is silly.
About a year and a half ago... many of us discovered that sometimes we hold things... papers, phones, keys in our hands for hours without realizing it...all because some one asked the question.... It was great to learn that it has to do with this injury and not because we were forgetful....
Also if you lost your dominate hand as a child you may have difficulty spelling...
Welcome again
Kath
Glad to see you found us. I am 62 and right obpi.
I think after reading lots of posts and information you will realize that Erb's Palsy effects all parts of our body... The neck,back,shoulder,hands and even some of us have eye problems and leg problems...
Read the information on the Awareness for the Parents that will explain how this happened and what parts of your hand arm neck shoulder etc were effected.
It took me along time to understand all the terms but it was helpful because now I understand much more about why I can and cannot do thing?
I found this board two years ago and like you only knew the name Erb's Palsy.
Please ask any questions you may have nothing is silly.
About a year and a half ago... many of us discovered that sometimes we hold things... papers, phones, keys in our hands for hours without realizing it...all because some one asked the question.... It was great to learn that it has to do with this injury and not because we were forgetful....
Also if you lost your dominate hand as a child you may have difficulty spelling...
Welcome again
Kath
-
admin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19873
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm
Re: Erbs Palsey
Hey Sheila, Welcome. 50 years and left OBPI. Didn't know what it was called till I was 17. This is a good site, keep posting and most of all, keep asking questions!!!
I have to laugh also regarding any other pains. My right arm (non bpi) is shot from the shoulder down to the fingers. Over use, biggest problem I face. I'm forcing my erbs arm to do more than it can, and that isn't a good idea most of the times as you could imagine.
As I said, keep posting and keep asking.
I have to laugh also regarding any other pains. My right arm (non bpi) is shot from the shoulder down to the fingers. Over use, biggest problem I face. I'm forcing my erbs arm to do more than it can, and that isn't a good idea most of the times as you could imagine.
As I said, keep posting and keep asking.