HI,
HAS ANYONE OUT THERE BEEN TOTALLY PARALYZED FROM THE ELBOW DOWN TO THE FINGERS AND RECOVERED PARTIALLY OR FULLY? I FIND OUT THE RESULTS FROM MY MRI IN 2 DAYS. I AM CURIOUS. WHEN I HAD MY INJURY, RIGHT AWAY I LOST THE FEELING IN MY ARM AND HAND. I CANNOT MOVE IT AT ALL. I FEEL A LOT OF TINGLING THROUGHOUT MY WRIST AND HAND BUT CANNOT MOVE IT. I DO NOT SUFFER "KNOCK ON WOOD" A LOT WITH PAIN. IT JUST GETS UNCOMFORTABLE IN MY HAND WITH THE PINS AND NEEDLES. I GUESS I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT WAY. I WAS WONDERING THE SUCCESS RATE, IF ANYONE WAS LIKE THIS AND WITH OR WITHOUT SURGERY, DID THE FEELING COME BACK PARTIALLY OR FULLY? THANKS FOR A RESPONSE. NERVOUSLY YOURS, KAREN
PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
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jennyb
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
Almost everyone with a tbpi starts out not being able to move their fingers, even mild cases. Some get fingers back in a few hours, or days, or weeks, or months-sometimes years, and some don't get them back at all....the fact that you don't suffer too badly with pain might be a good sign-FINGERS CROSSED! Please let us know what they find with the MRI, Karen :0)
Jen NZ
Jen NZ
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
Hi Karen!!
That is exacctly the way David was--he had no movement or feeling initially from the elbow down to fingertips, but now has movement all the way down into fingers!! It has taken a good 3 months, but I see some similarities in what you are saying and what went on with him--he would feel pins and needles sporadically, and then a little more movement or feeling seemed to come after that--within a few days I think--that seemed to be the only pain he has, except for a heavy feeling--"like my hand is in a cast or a block of concrete"--the movement and feeling worked it's way down his arm -first elbow flexion, then wrist, then hand, then fingers---hopefully that will be YOUR case too--I KNOW that the at daily range of motion, massage, and movement to his arm helped with muscle strength and kept him from having muscle wasting or contractures--you ARE doing that several times each day, right?? I can't stess that enough!! Anywho, hopefully this will be your course too--David has a severe stretch injury--no avulsions--is that your diagnosis from the EMG??Can't reemeber---hope this helps--keep in touch!!
--~~~~~~Suzie~~~~~~
That is exacctly the way David was--he had no movement or feeling initially from the elbow down to fingertips, but now has movement all the way down into fingers!! It has taken a good 3 months, but I see some similarities in what you are saying and what went on with him--he would feel pins and needles sporadically, and then a little more movement or feeling seemed to come after that--within a few days I think--that seemed to be the only pain he has, except for a heavy feeling--"like my hand is in a cast or a block of concrete"--the movement and feeling worked it's way down his arm -first elbow flexion, then wrist, then hand, then fingers---hopefully that will be YOUR case too--I KNOW that the at daily range of motion, massage, and movement to his arm helped with muscle strength and kept him from having muscle wasting or contractures--you ARE doing that several times each day, right?? I can't stess that enough!! Anywho, hopefully this will be your course too--David has a severe stretch injury--no avulsions--is that your diagnosis from the EMG??Can't reemeber---hope this helps--keep in touch!!
--~~~~~~Suzie~~~~~~
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
HI SUZIE,
THANK YOU FOR THE ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT DAVID. YES THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE, A VERY HEAVY FEELING IN MY HAND LIKE I HAVE A ROCK INSIDE OF IT. I AM MASSAGING MY ARM, HAND AND FINGERS AS MUCH AS I CAN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. MY DAD SET UP A PULLEY SYSTEM FOR ME TO LIFT MY ARM UP AND DOWN AND I GO SWIMMING EVERY MORNING. I DO AN EXERCISE SWIM CLASS. I TRY LIKE "HECK" EVERYDAY TO BEND MY ELBOW AND WRIST AND MOVE MY FINGERS. IT JUST ISEN'T HAPPENING YET. IT HAS BEEN 7 WEEKS SINCE MY INJURY SO I WILL HOPE AND PRAY. MY RESULTS COME BACK FROM MY MRI ON WED. I WILL LET YOU KNOW THE RESULTS. I HAVE AN EMG BOOKED FOR OCT. 31ST. HOW IS DAVID DOING NOW? I WISH YOU AND HIM ALL THE BEST. THANK YOU SUZIE.
KAREN
THANK YOU FOR THE ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT DAVID. YES THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE, A VERY HEAVY FEELING IN MY HAND LIKE I HAVE A ROCK INSIDE OF IT. I AM MASSAGING MY ARM, HAND AND FINGERS AS MUCH AS I CAN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. MY DAD SET UP A PULLEY SYSTEM FOR ME TO LIFT MY ARM UP AND DOWN AND I GO SWIMMING EVERY MORNING. I DO AN EXERCISE SWIM CLASS. I TRY LIKE "HECK" EVERYDAY TO BEND MY ELBOW AND WRIST AND MOVE MY FINGERS. IT JUST ISEN'T HAPPENING YET. IT HAS BEEN 7 WEEKS SINCE MY INJURY SO I WILL HOPE AND PRAY. MY RESULTS COME BACK FROM MY MRI ON WED. I WILL LET YOU KNOW THE RESULTS. I HAVE AN EMG BOOKED FOR OCT. 31ST. HOW IS DAVID DOING NOW? I WISH YOU AND HIM ALL THE BEST. THANK YOU SUZIE.
KAREN
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
Hi Karen!!
David is doing really well right now--has been going to a PT hand specialist once a week and she says his GRIP strength has tripled since his injury and the first time she saw him--this is great news, except for the fact that he had NO grip when she first saw him!! All in All though, it is a great victory!! He can actually hold things in his right hand now, and last night I heard him trying to play pool (a nice safe sport, not like softball--he can't throw things in this sport! I hope!!! ha!!) with our daughter Lindsey!! We are still waiting for his repeat EMG on Nov 4th, then an appointment with Dr Belzberg for followup, then an appointment Dec 5 with a orthopedic shoulder specialist that Dr. B recommended to talk about fixing the ligament and tendon and rotator cuff injury that he also sustained on July 16---It has been a little over 3 months since his injury, and I know it was a good 8 weeks before he started making such good strides movement wise--so keep positive thoughts, ok?? Let me know how the MRI looked!!
~~~Suzie~~~~
David is doing really well right now--has been going to a PT hand specialist once a week and she says his GRIP strength has tripled since his injury and the first time she saw him--this is great news, except for the fact that he had NO grip when she first saw him!! All in All though, it is a great victory!! He can actually hold things in his right hand now, and last night I heard him trying to play pool (a nice safe sport, not like softball--he can't throw things in this sport! I hope!!! ha!!) with our daughter Lindsey!! We are still waiting for his repeat EMG on Nov 4th, then an appointment with Dr Belzberg for followup, then an appointment Dec 5 with a orthopedic shoulder specialist that Dr. B recommended to talk about fixing the ligament and tendon and rotator cuff injury that he also sustained on July 16---It has been a little over 3 months since his injury, and I know it was a good 8 weeks before he started making such good strides movement wise--so keep positive thoughts, ok?? Let me know how the MRI looked!!
~~~Suzie~~~~
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admin
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Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
HI SUZIE,
WOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE SIMILARITY WITH THE INJURY. I TOO INJURED MY SHOULDER. I BROKE MY BONE AND MY ROTATOR CUFF IS GONE AT THIS POINT. I AM GOING TO PT TWICE A WEEK AS WELL TO GET THE MUSCLES BUILT UP IN MY SHOULDER. THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS ABOUT DAVID. HE MUST BE SO HAPPY. I KNOW IF AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT I CAN MOVE MY HAND, FINGERS, WRIST AND ELBOW AGAIN, THE WORLD WILL HEAR ME. TALK TO YOU SOON.
KAREN
WOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE SIMILARITY WITH THE INJURY. I TOO INJURED MY SHOULDER. I BROKE MY BONE AND MY ROTATOR CUFF IS GONE AT THIS POINT. I AM GOING TO PT TWICE A WEEK AS WELL TO GET THE MUSCLES BUILT UP IN MY SHOULDER. THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS ABOUT DAVID. HE MUST BE SO HAPPY. I KNOW IF AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT I CAN MOVE MY HAND, FINGERS, WRIST AND ELBOW AGAIN, THE WORLD WILL HEAR ME. TALK TO YOU SOON.
KAREN
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admin
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Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
HI SUZIE,
GOOD NEWS! I GOT THE RESULTS OF MY MRI TODAY AND THERE IS NO ABNORMALITY IN MY BRACHIAL PLEXUS AS FAR AS A TEAR OR BEING SEVERED. THE NERVES ARE STRETCHED AND MY PT SAYS IT WILL JUST BE TIME NOW TO SEE WHEN THE ARM AND HAND WILL COME BACK. I WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. I SEE MY ORTHO DOC TOMORROW FOR MORE DETAILS. IT IS MY SHOULDER THAT MY PT IS WORRIED ABOUT. I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON THAT. SHE SAYS I MAY DEVELOP FROZEN SHOULDER. BUT IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO GET MY ARM AND HAND IN MOTION AGAIN. SUZIE, WHAT DID DAVID START TO FEEL WHEN THE MOVEMENT STARTED IN HIS HANDS AND ARM AGAIN. DID HE JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND HE COULD MOVE? I TRY AND TRY TO MOVE MY ELBOW, WRIST AND HANDS AND FINGERS BUT NOTHING. DID HE GET ANYSTRANGE SENSATIONS? THANKS, KAREN
GOOD NEWS! I GOT THE RESULTS OF MY MRI TODAY AND THERE IS NO ABNORMALITY IN MY BRACHIAL PLEXUS AS FAR AS A TEAR OR BEING SEVERED. THE NERVES ARE STRETCHED AND MY PT SAYS IT WILL JUST BE TIME NOW TO SEE WHEN THE ARM AND HAND WILL COME BACK. I WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. I SEE MY ORTHO DOC TOMORROW FOR MORE DETAILS. IT IS MY SHOULDER THAT MY PT IS WORRIED ABOUT. I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON THAT. SHE SAYS I MAY DEVELOP FROZEN SHOULDER. BUT IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO GET MY ARM AND HAND IN MOTION AGAIN. SUZIE, WHAT DID DAVID START TO FEEL WHEN THE MOVEMENT STARTED IN HIS HANDS AND ARM AGAIN. DID HE JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND HE COULD MOVE? I TRY AND TRY TO MOVE MY ELBOW, WRIST AND HANDS AND FINGERS BUT NOTHING. DID HE GET ANYSTRANGE SENSATIONS? THANKS, KAREN
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
HI SUZIE,
I GOT MY MRI RESULTS AND THE NEWS WAS GREAT. I DO NOT HAVE A TEAR, THE NERVES HAVE BEEN STRETCHED. I WILL FIND OUT ALOT MORE TOMORROW FROM MY ORTHO BUT I GOT A MESSAGE TODAY THAT THERE WAS NO ABNORMALITY IN MY BRACHIAL PLEXUS, JUST "SHOCKED" NERVES. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME FOR MY ARM AND HAND TO COME BACK. SUZIW, WHEN DAVID STARTED GETTING FEELING AND MOVEMENT, WHAT HAPPENED? DID HE JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND HE COULD MOVE HIS ARM OR WAS IT A VERY SLOW PROCESS. WHAT HAPPENED? DID HE GET DIFFERENT FEELINGS THEN USUAL? THANKS. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE ORTHO SAYS TOMORROW. KAREN
I GOT MY MRI RESULTS AND THE NEWS WAS GREAT. I DO NOT HAVE A TEAR, THE NERVES HAVE BEEN STRETCHED. I WILL FIND OUT ALOT MORE TOMORROW FROM MY ORTHO BUT I GOT A MESSAGE TODAY THAT THERE WAS NO ABNORMALITY IN MY BRACHIAL PLEXUS, JUST "SHOCKED" NERVES. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME FOR MY ARM AND HAND TO COME BACK. SUZIW, WHEN DAVID STARTED GETTING FEELING AND MOVEMENT, WHAT HAPPENED? DID HE JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND HE COULD MOVE HIS ARM OR WAS IT A VERY SLOW PROCESS. WHAT HAPPENED? DID HE GET DIFFERENT FEELINGS THEN USUAL? THANKS. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE ORTHO SAYS TOMORROW. KAREN
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
SUZIE, SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE MESSAGE. I DIDN'T THINK THE FIRST ONE WENT THROUGH. KAREN
Re: PARALYZED THEN RECOVERED?
Oh Karen!!!!
This sounds like GREAT news!!!! I am sooo happy!! David got feeling back just a little at a time--I just kept after him--"now, move your elbow"--if he didn't, he's at least be thinking it, and I'd move it for him-"move your wrist"--same thing---there is something called "muscle memory" in sports, and since both of us play softball, and all 4 of us play some type of sport(our daughters Michelle and Lindsey, exxcel in field hockey AND play softball--they're 18 and 14 respectively) it seemed like the natural route to take--think the thought to move the muscle, and if you can't move it, get it passively moved by someone else(me or the girls!)--repetition is the key to make the muscles "remember" the movement, then it just comes natural one day---that sounds kinda corny I guess, and simplified, but in our case, it seems to work!!! We use that theory alot when coaching the kids--be it throwing motion(David doesn't do that drill, and won't be allowed to in the future!!ha!), fielding ground balls or pop-ups, or hitting a hockey ball into goal--you've probably heard of Cal Ripkin, from the Baltimore Orioles?? His dad was a long-time coach, one of the best in the business, and that was his way of coaching for the most part--"practice like you want to play, and it will come natural to you in a game"--he is who I base alot of my coaching theory on (him and my dad!) and it just seemed to make sense when it came to David's injury! Anywho, I digress a bit...sorry! Just keep thinking the motion, and try to move, like when you are doing your stretching and range of motion exercises, think-,and then try to move--one day you'll see tiny movement, I'm sure!! It will progress after that!!! Like I said a few messages back, David seemed to always have increased "pins and needles" type pain, and then got some feeling or movement back shortly thereafter! Let me know how the ortho appointment goes!! ~~~~Suzie~~~~~
This sounds like GREAT news!!!! I am sooo happy!! David got feeling back just a little at a time--I just kept after him--"now, move your elbow"--if he didn't, he's at least be thinking it, and I'd move it for him-"move your wrist"--same thing---there is something called "muscle memory" in sports, and since both of us play softball, and all 4 of us play some type of sport(our daughters Michelle and Lindsey, exxcel in field hockey AND play softball--they're 18 and 14 respectively) it seemed like the natural route to take--think the thought to move the muscle, and if you can't move it, get it passively moved by someone else(me or the girls!)--repetition is the key to make the muscles "remember" the movement, then it just comes natural one day---that sounds kinda corny I guess, and simplified, but in our case, it seems to work!!! We use that theory alot when coaching the kids--be it throwing motion(David doesn't do that drill, and won't be allowed to in the future!!ha!), fielding ground balls or pop-ups, or hitting a hockey ball into goal--you've probably heard of Cal Ripkin, from the Baltimore Orioles?? His dad was a long-time coach, one of the best in the business, and that was his way of coaching for the most part--"practice like you want to play, and it will come natural to you in a game"--he is who I base alot of my coaching theory on (him and my dad!) and it just seemed to make sense when it came to David's injury! Anywho, I digress a bit...sorry! Just keep thinking the motion, and try to move, like when you are doing your stretching and range of motion exercises, think-,and then try to move--one day you'll see tiny movement, I'm sure!! It will progress after that!!! Like I said a few messages back, David seemed to always have increased "pins and needles" type pain, and then got some feeling or movement back shortly thereafter! Let me know how the ortho appointment goes!! ~~~~Suzie~~~~~