Surgery

[GDW001]

I stumbled across this page late last year but this is my first message. I am 34 years old, I live in Western Australia and like a number of others I have read about on this discussion site, until recently I did not even know the name of the problem I have had since birth.

I am at the early part of my journey, having started a fitness program last year to primarily lose some weight. I started to notice improvements in my arm, both in terms of muscle definition & strength, however no change in range. This led me to search the internet and I came across loads of information, mainly from the US and mainly from this site.

From what I have read, I think my injury is at the mild end of the spectrum, however having never seen or spoken with any other person with bpi/erbs, I cannot be certain. I can lift my arm to 90 degrees (with some cheeting)-nearly 180 degrees with help, there is a slight bend in the elbow when held straight, it is smaller in length & muscle size, I cannot rotate outwards, I don't have significant pain and until recently assumed I had no deltiod at all (hand is ok but cannot rotate fully). I can do pushups, bench press, etc but cannot get right down due to, I assume, tight pec muscles.

Since starting to read this site I have been to an orthopaedic surgeon (general shoulder specialist), have had an emg, am due for an mri next week and a follow up with surgeon at the end of the week. All I know from the emg is that none of the nerves are normal, however all gave some/varying response.

At my first meeting with surgeon, I mentioned a few things I had learnt from this site, however he did not seem too knowledgable on the specifics of the condition (compared with those mentioned on this site). He basically said, subject to tests being currently done, he could do a pec release, see how it goes and then follow up with lat (or other) transfer.

My questions (sorry for the long intro but I thought it was relevant) are, does anybody know of a specialist in my part of the world?

Also, can someone please explain a mod quad in more detail?

Finally, I have read on this site about nerve repairs being done (I think it was from Nancy), I can't remember the terms used but I think it was cleaning up scar tissue, etc. Could this improve any function 34 years after injury?

Congratulations on the site, it has been a great help to me and obviously many others.

Thanks
GW

[Judy-T]

GW,
I had an ulnar nerve transposition a few years ago to clean up scar tissue in my ulnar nerve. I am 42 and it was successful. I have the feeling back in my hand that I had lost over the years. Nancy had the mod quad so she probably could answer you on that one. Welcome to the club! I know we did not choose to be here but we are all in the same boat. I am glad that you posted. Go to the directory on this site,I know that there are others listed from Australia.