Is my case urgent for a surgery ?

[admin]

Hello and shalom to everybody,
My name is Shahar Shemesh and I'm 27 years old, living in Israel. 4 month ago, while I was busy in my physical therapy studying degree I had a bad motorcycle accident which crashed my skull bones and ruined my brachial plexus nerves, mostly the superior trunk made by c5 c6 that influence badly the axillary and musculocutaneus nerves.
After 3 month I began to fill some positive progress in these damaged nerves and the emg exams also showed some electric mobility, and I became calmer to know that the nerve didn’t cut off totally.
But still I can’t feel some skin areas and can move my shoulder very badly. My pain is mild and my self practice is deep and serious: I do electro and hydro therapy everyday and try to be aware to the hand progress.
My questions refer to the surgical need. The doctor assumes that scar tissue is stacking the stretched injured nerves and I would like to know if it is necessary to have a surgery a.s.a.p or is it possible to wait and see if things are going on the positive way.
Thank you for hearing me. I would like to get some answers from you , not only about my surgical question but about anything you feel like sharing.

[Karl w/ a K]

Shalom Shahar,
Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. The fact that you were studying physical therapy at the time of your tbpi is a blessing. I avulsed c5 & c6, and stretched c7 & c8. I was mis-diagnosed for 15 months. I didn't have my surgery till the 17th month. Two of my rotator cuff muscles are just returning. My biceps can just barely register on the emg. So don't panic about having the surgery asap. Check out all your options. See as many specialists as you can, and make sure they are the best when it comes to tbpi. Hope this helps...Karl...

[EllenB]

Hi Shahar, and welcome to the club nobody wants to join. It's so ironic that you were already studying PT when the accident happened - but also fortunate, since you already had both PT knowledge & as well as access to the type of equipment that helps with recovery.

My understanding is the main reason bpi surgery is so time sensitive is the issue of muscle atrophy and the length of time it takes nerves to regrow to those muscles. Since it seems you are seeing some muscle return, your pain is minimal - and you are able to do extensive/daily PT - my unprofessional opinion is that you can wait awhile longer. Scar tissue certainly can impede nerve regrowth, so you may indeed need to have that done. But I don't see it as an asap issue.

Take care & keep us posted. Shalom,

Ellen