Mod Quad Questions
Mod Quad Questions
Our daughter Renee is having the mod quad surgery done at TIRR on 2/26. I was wondering if anyone could answer some questions...Approximately how much does the splint weigh? (Renee will only be 13 1/2 months old and currently weighs around 20 lbs.) Does the splint increase the circumference of the arm by alot? (I bought long sleeve tops that button or snap up the front but I don't know if the arms will stretch enough to go over the splint. We live in NY so we NEED long sleeved tops!) If the child has to wear the splint 24/7 for 4 weeks, how does the incision heal because it won't get air to it? Do you do ROM exercises during the 4 weeks and should we continue our EI therapy visits during that time? Anyone who had a child having the surgery before they could walk, how frustrated did they get because they couldn't get around? (Renee can crawl, stand, and cruise along the furniture right now.) Sorry for all the questions, but I'm the type who handles things better armed with information!
Re: Mod Quad Questions
I'll try to answer what I can based on our experience (our daughter, Nicole, was 23 months and weighed 20 something lbs).
Approximately how much does the splint weigh?
I actually weighed Nicole with and w/o the splint at the Pediatrician's office and if I recall correctly, it was only about 1 lb - very lightweight.
Does the splint increase the circumference of the arm by alot?
It does increase the circumference of the arm. I bought shirts a couple sizes bigger. I was able to use long-sleeved shirts and most of the arm was okay, but where we had a problem with sometimes was at the wrist area b/c that's made smaller on most shirts. I did take the stitching out of a few shirts (at the wrist -- then either folded it down or sewed on a velcro fastener to increase the circumference at that point). For putting shirts on, we do: L (BP) arm first, then the head, R (non-BP) arm last (just the opposite for removing)
If the child has to wear the splint 24/7 for 4 weeks, how does the incision heal because it won't get air to it?
Well, there are airholes in the splint and then there's padding inside the splint too. Plus, we were instructed (in March 01) to remove the splint (while maintaining Nicole's arm in the splinted position) daily to care for the incision (change the dressing, eventually to do scar massage, etc.) We were also to do certain, but not all, PROM exercises. These instructions might have changed since then and sometimes vary by child, so best to ask TCH.
Do you do ROM exercises during the 4 weeks and should we continue our EI therapy visits during that time?
Again, we did some PROM as per instructions, but that might be different now. You might want to arrange to have your EI therapist come 1-2x during the month to help with getting around in the splint. That's what we usually do, we just cut it down to 1-2x/month. Plus, it keeps your child familiar with them and lets them feel that the therapist is there b/c they like them and that just b/c they have a splint on doesn't mean the therapist doesn't want to come over (well, this is my logic anyway!).
Anyone who had a child having the surgery before they could walk, how frustrated did they get because they couldn't get around?
Nicole could walk before the MQ so I don't know if I can help you there. That might be more reason to have EI keep coming though (esp. a PT if she gets PT now). I will tell you though that Nicole just had the Capsulodesis surgery in Dec and is still wearing her splint and she often tries crawling with the splint on. I never would've expected that esp. since she doesn't crawl all that much anymore anyway since she can walk so well.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm the type who handles things better armed with information!
You never have to apologize for asking too many ?s here and I agree, it's much better to be equipped with info. Great ?s, btw!
Also, for more info, if you go to http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html, you can read about Maia's experiences with the Mod Quad. There's also some great info. on there about TCH / travel info. etc.
There were also some recent posts that discussed car seats in great detail and other MQ related topics. Here are the topics and the dates of the latest posts. Just go back few pages here:
"Mod Quad" (1/15/02)
"Mod Quad continued" (1/16/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats" (1/18/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats Part II" (1/20/02)
I hope this helps and I hope the surgery goes well. Email me if you'd like. -Tina
Approximately how much does the splint weigh?
I actually weighed Nicole with and w/o the splint at the Pediatrician's office and if I recall correctly, it was only about 1 lb - very lightweight.
Does the splint increase the circumference of the arm by alot?
It does increase the circumference of the arm. I bought shirts a couple sizes bigger. I was able to use long-sleeved shirts and most of the arm was okay, but where we had a problem with sometimes was at the wrist area b/c that's made smaller on most shirts. I did take the stitching out of a few shirts (at the wrist -- then either folded it down or sewed on a velcro fastener to increase the circumference at that point). For putting shirts on, we do: L (BP) arm first, then the head, R (non-BP) arm last (just the opposite for removing)
If the child has to wear the splint 24/7 for 4 weeks, how does the incision heal because it won't get air to it?
Well, there are airholes in the splint and then there's padding inside the splint too. Plus, we were instructed (in March 01) to remove the splint (while maintaining Nicole's arm in the splinted position) daily to care for the incision (change the dressing, eventually to do scar massage, etc.) We were also to do certain, but not all, PROM exercises. These instructions might have changed since then and sometimes vary by child, so best to ask TCH.
Do you do ROM exercises during the 4 weeks and should we continue our EI therapy visits during that time?
Again, we did some PROM as per instructions, but that might be different now. You might want to arrange to have your EI therapist come 1-2x during the month to help with getting around in the splint. That's what we usually do, we just cut it down to 1-2x/month. Plus, it keeps your child familiar with them and lets them feel that the therapist is there b/c they like them and that just b/c they have a splint on doesn't mean the therapist doesn't want to come over (well, this is my logic anyway!).
Anyone who had a child having the surgery before they could walk, how frustrated did they get because they couldn't get around?
Nicole could walk before the MQ so I don't know if I can help you there. That might be more reason to have EI keep coming though (esp. a PT if she gets PT now). I will tell you though that Nicole just had the Capsulodesis surgery in Dec and is still wearing her splint and she often tries crawling with the splint on. I never would've expected that esp. since she doesn't crawl all that much anymore anyway since she can walk so well.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm the type who handles things better armed with information!
You never have to apologize for asking too many ?s here and I agree, it's much better to be equipped with info. Great ?s, btw!
Also, for more info, if you go to http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html, you can read about Maia's experiences with the Mod Quad. There's also some great info. on there about TCH / travel info. etc.
There were also some recent posts that discussed car seats in great detail and other MQ related topics. Here are the topics and the dates of the latest posts. Just go back few pages here:
"Mod Quad" (1/15/02)
"Mod Quad continued" (1/16/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats" (1/18/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats Part II" (1/20/02)
I hope this helps and I hope the surgery goes well. Email me if you'd like. -Tina
Re: Mod Quad Questions
Tina answered everything for you already but I just wanted to say that the splint will not keep your child down. We hear it all the time "can't believe my child is doing all that he/she is doing with the splint on."
Just a bit down on this list you will find a post about T-Shirts - get some long sleeve undershirts to put underneath for extra warmth. Works great for when it's really really cold.
good luck and know that we are all here to help you get through this!
take care,
francine
Just a bit down on this list you will find a post about T-Shirts - get some long sleeve undershirts to put underneath for extra warmth. Works great for when it's really really cold.
good luck and know that we are all here to help you get through this!
take care,
francine
Re: Mod Quad Questions
Our daughter was 10 months old when she had the mod quad. The splint has lots of holes and plenty of breathing room. They mold the splint to fit the child. Our baby got around just fine without crawling. She figured out a way to scoot that looked like a surfer paddling out on his board with one arm. She also cruised just fine like nothing ever happened to her. She wore 6-9 month sizes and with the splint she wore 18 months sizes. I would only go up a couple sizes. They will give specific instructions as far as what therapy should be done. They are very thorough and the people at TIRR are great. Nancy Conte will do the splinting most likely and she will splint your baby's dolly too if you ask. Really, these kids bounce back and adjust like there's nothing to it. I think I got more worked up and went through more than Hannah did. The splint is a little top heavy but your girl will be fine. I ended up twisting my ankle while carrying her with the splint because she suddenly shifted her weight and threw me off! Ha ha! We really liked TIRR and all the staff. Very quiet. I hope a very nice lady nurse named Alice will do your pre-op stuff. She was so wonderful. If you have any more questions I would be glad to help.
Nicole
Nicole
Re: Mod Quad Questions
Francine, we were told that they do not recommend putting any clothing on underneath the splint unless it is necessary for problems with skin / irritation, etc. We never used a shirt underneath and it worked well for us. -Tina