Heart bypass causes injury to brachial plexus nerve
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Heart bypass causes injury to brachial plexus nerve
I would appreciate making contact with someone who has a brachial plexus nerve injury similar to mine or possibly occurred under a similar situation as mine. I had 5-way bypass and awoke from the operation with weakness and nerve damage to the left hand and arm. I have been told it is due to the crushing of the brachial plexus nerve during the surgery and that it will come back. However, after 3 months, I am not experiencing any noticible improvement. My wife is concerned about permanent damage if I do nothing. I would also like to know if therapy will help.
Re: Heart bypass causes injury to brachial plexus nerve
Jack, I am so sorry that this has happened to you as a result of surgery. I too have suffered with a BP nerve injury as a result of surgery (mine was abdominal) and although it seems that we have a different level of nerve involvement, the basic outcome of ongoing pain, weakness and frustration is the same. An injury such as this caused by surgery seems to be very rare (or at least undocumented) and thus the added difficulty in finding appropriate treatment. You have probably found, as I have, that most doctors and therapists are quite ignorant about the condition and this only adds to the frustration.
From what I have learned, the extent of improvement can depend greatly on the severity of the injury. If the nerve involved was not severed, there is hope for recovery, but because nerves regenerate at such a slow pace, unfortunately this can take a very long time. I was originally told 6-12 months by a neurologist. I am now 4 years with this problem and although I have had some improvement in ROM and severity of pain, I still have a considerable disibility and so can only offer limited advice.
I believe that the first step is to get a proper diagnosis and a doctor who will take your problem seriously. It is shameful how so many physicians tell you this will just get better in time and send you away to suffer only because they are not educated enough to help you, not realizing how dibilitating the condition can be.
Have you had any neurological testing such as EMG/NCV done? Have you been given any guidance whatsoever from your doctors? Are you suffering with constant pain?
I am sorry I can't be of much help except to offer my sympathies to you. I may be able to provide you with some links to information that might at least help you to better understand your injury.
It would serve you well to read all of the information provided in the Information and Resources areas of this website as well.
I wish you well.
From what I have learned, the extent of improvement can depend greatly on the severity of the injury. If the nerve involved was not severed, there is hope for recovery, but because nerves regenerate at such a slow pace, unfortunately this can take a very long time. I was originally told 6-12 months by a neurologist. I am now 4 years with this problem and although I have had some improvement in ROM and severity of pain, I still have a considerable disibility and so can only offer limited advice.
I believe that the first step is to get a proper diagnosis and a doctor who will take your problem seriously. It is shameful how so many physicians tell you this will just get better in time and send you away to suffer only because they are not educated enough to help you, not realizing how dibilitating the condition can be.
Have you had any neurological testing such as EMG/NCV done? Have you been given any guidance whatsoever from your doctors? Are you suffering with constant pain?
I am sorry I can't be of much help except to offer my sympathies to you. I may be able to provide you with some links to information that might at least help you to better understand your injury.
It would serve you well to read all of the information provided in the Information and Resources areas of this website as well.
I wish you well.