My next surgery!!

[Wes]

Hello to everyone
My name is Wes i've only posted on here twice, i am 3 months post op from having the scar tissue removed from right shoulder and having the oberlein surgery and i have c5 c6 c7 pulled out of spine. I am able to slide my arm out and some what back towards me when i lay it on flat table. I have real strong tricep and therapist don't know why with c7 being pulled but not complaining.I like reading the boards to hear all that is out there for bp, I would like thank everyone for all you help with this injury you's have taught me alot. I have the tendion transfer surgery next. I have very strong hand and fingers but just no wrist and finger extendors. So that is next surgery. Anyone with some input. THANK YOU ALL
Wes

[diargasm]

Hi, I just had a tendon transfer operation 6 weeks ago. So far it's worked out well. I can tell that I need a lot of physical therapy to get full extension and rotation back. It is a big relief to get out of the cast after 4 weeks.

The best thing about the tendon transfer operation for me was the fact that I could bend my arm now without having to curl up my wrist and fingers. I had the oberlin's procedure way back in Feb, and in order to bend my arm i'd have to flex my wrist and figers. They took out all the tendons that went to wrist flexion for me. Now whenever I bend my arm it extends my wrist which makes it looks more normal.

[Wes]

diargasm, thank you for the news on how well your tendion transfer surgery is doing. Question for you how long was it from the oberlin procedure to your tendion transfer surgery. Did they wait a couple months or did they operate soon after. Just wondering because i am getting some elbow movement tricep and bicep very weak but it is start in the right direction for the fact it has not moved since my accident in June 04. Thank you and you take care wish you well.
Wes

[diargasm]

I had the Oberlin's procedure done in February. I started being able to flex my bicep by June. I had cross c-7 operation in May to get my deltoid muscle working. Late July I had an intercostal operation to get my tricep to work. But when they started they found out my tricep was still alive, so they aborted it. Around October I started being to get some strength in the Tricep. On December 13 I had a Tendon Transfer Surgery.

So from my Oberline operation in Febraury to my Tendon Transfer opeartion in December, it was about 10 months. They told me I could have the Tendon transfer operation whenever I wanted so I just decided to do it after all of my major operations were done. There is not time limit for the tendon transfer operation.

[Wes]

diargasm sorry to keep asking you questions, but what is all involved with c-7 crossover surgery because my DR. is telling me i have no deltoids and looks like i may have to have muscle from my thigh taken and grafted into my deltoids to maybe have anything in that area. i never heard of the c-7 crossover procedure. I do know that what worked for you may not for me, but never heard of c-7 crossover surgery. can you inlighten me on this surgery. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR INPUT!!
Wes

[diargasm]

c7 cross-neck surgery is where they take sural nerves from your legs and the connect the c7 part of your good arm to the muscle not functioning on the bad side. According to my doc it is the most complicated surgery out of all I've had so far.

I'm sure someone on this forum can go in more detail, or correct me if I am missing something.

[EllenB]

I can add a little bit to that. My son John also had the crosslateral C7 at Mayo, & what they did was take a part of the "good" C7 & move it over. He had to retrain his brain to make the transition that when he thought "good arm" the bad arm moved instead.

For about a year after this surgery, there was some weakness in the good arm - but it's back to 100% now.

Keep asking questions!

Ellen

[Wes]

diargasm,
Thank you so much for all your input on the c-7 crossover surgery. I am going to ask my Doc about that surgery. Because the doc did tell me that it is going to be tough to get my deltoids with what i have injured. Doc said using part of the thigh muscle to integrate it into the deltoid. How long did that surgery last. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
Wes

[Wes]

Ellen,
Was the surgery painful and what percent is his bad arm at right now, has he gained alot from the crossover surgery. My doc is telling me right now at 7 months from my accident that i probably will never be able to lift my arm over my head again but is going to try to get me at least to shoulder height. At what point in time during this long road to recovery do they suggest the c-7 crossover surgery. The pain, the electric shocking, the pressure, the burning down the arm does that let up after this surgery. Right now i take 600 mg of neurotin 3 times aday. Thank you so much for all your help!!

Wes

[diargasm]

The cross c-7 operation for me lasted over 10 hours. It is tough waking up from it, but once you get on your feet you feel much better.