Secondary problems related to BPI

[EllenB]

I know it's not uncommon for people w/BPI to ultimately develop other problems (back, neck, good arm) related to compensating for the injury. Does anyone know of any studies or tracking done to indicate the percentage of people who develop these issues (sometimes years) after the injury?

This may be relevant to our upcoming court case.

Thanks,

Ellen

[Henry]

Hi Ellen,

This may or may not be relevant, but about 19 years into my injury, (right arm bpi), I noticed a minor lameness in my right leg. The leg was broken in the accident so I've always been gimpy, but it just seemed to be getting worse. A physiotherapist identified it as possibly neuro related and Dr. Raj Midha at Sunnybrook, Toronto, persisted until he identified the problem. I don't have the paperwork handy to give you the exact terminology, but apparently, the brachial tear close to the spine had allowed spinal fluid to leak out slowly over the years. The spinal tap and the MRI showed a little balloon of fluid outside the spine pressing back in and affecting the nerves to my right side. He went in and drained it and sealed the tear, but I do have some permanent motor loss in my right leg.

Good luck.

Henry