? about splint coming off

[aurora]

Matthew had the mod-quad on the 14 of Jan. His splint will be coming off on the 11th (5days). What should we expect when we remove it? Will he be in any pain? Will his arm come stright down by it's self? Or should we help him bring it down? He just started to walk should we be concern if he falls on his injured arm?

Aurora

[TNT1999]

Of course, as you know, all children respond so differently, but I will share what has worked for us. Nicole had the MQ in March '01 at 23 months and the Capsulodesis in Dec '01 at 32 months. The splints were both very similar, just positioned differently. For the splint removal both times, we went to a heated therapy pool (91-94o). We've also given Nicole OTC pain meds (Tylenol, Motrin or Advil). What we've done is brought Nicole to the pool wearing the splint, then removed it right before entering the pool -- while holding it in the splinted position. Then when we were in the warm water, I let it down gradually. Most parents find it helps to use warm water (if a heated pool isn't available, then the bathtub). Most parents also find it helps to do things very slowly. For ex., on the first day you might only have the splint off for 5 minutes or you might have it off for several hours, depending upon how your son does. One thing I did w/the MQ splint that I wish I didn't do was I put the splint back on Nicole for her nap on the first day and then tried to remove it later. That wasn't a good idea b/c then it was difficult for her all over again. If I did it over, I would've either put it back on for naptime and just left it on throughout the rest of the day / night OR I would've just kept it off until sometime after her nap. Also, most children do not bring their arm down by their side right away and might hold it up pretty high for a while. Again, just be patient. Falls are always a risk, but there's not really a lot you can do about it, other than basic precautions like being extra careful on harder surfaces or keeping them barefoot or with sneakers on when walking on floors so they don't slip and fall. Believe me, Nicole is almost 3 y.o. and I'm going through the falling fears all over again. I wasn't as worried about falls in the splint b/c it was so protective, but now it's gone and more white hairs are appearing. LOL! Well, I hope this helps and that all goes well for Matthew. Don't be afraid to give him a few doses of meds as needed for the first few days out of the splint. Take care. -Tina

[admin]

My son wanted his splint right back on and yes, I think is does hurt because there are muscles there that have NEVER been used

[Mom of Kelsey]

Hi, I know each child is different on what pain they have and what different ways they react to situations. My daughter was 8 yr old when she had her first mod quad surgery and when it was time to remove her splint she did very well. We also worked our way into it, little steps at a time. we would leave it off for 10min after bath time and she would put her hand on her head and hold it up.. and then back into the splint. We did this 3 days prior to the splint coming off for the day..... she did very well.. now she did hold her arm up for a while but would then let it down little at a time. by the 2nd week of it being off she would hold it up next to her body then by the 3rd week she was doing much better and the arm was free!! I feel that they will know.. I can not answer for the babies.. like I said, Kelsey is a older child but she has done very well. Infact after she left the Hospital she never had another pain med. what so ever. She never complained of pain after they put on her splint. She has what I feel over done it with the arm a few times and has had some sharp pains up in the shoulder (top) a few times when she is lifting her body up on the counter or the trampoline. but she says it hurts only for a short time. Kelsey is a very active child and has always been... so after her splint was to come off I was in a major panic.. the kid lives to flip around on the trampoline and play softball and track!! I didn't want to hold her back but didn't want her to get hurt either. so I called Lisa and she told me that a normal fall shouldn't hurt her at all. So by the time her 12 weeks was up she was playing baseball on the school team.. and making several home runs and was the star catcher!! I don't know if this has helped you in anyway.. I know what it is like to wonder and worrie.. but take each day at a time! Good luck and take care ~ Denise