United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Your situation sounds exactly like ours. Our daughter is now almost 6 years old and I can tell you she has had a great improvement with OT only. She sees a surgeon every 6 months to evaluate how she is doing. They say that surgery probably won't make it totally go away, so we have opted not to do surgery at this point. She has no pain and is only limited on certain movements. She will probably never do a back bend or a back handspring, things like that. You can tell by looking at her only if you KNOW to that something is wrong. She takes swimming lessons, ballet (which she is fabulous at) and she is getting ready to start soccer. My advice to you is do everything you can to learn about it and treat it. We had "First Steps" a program in our state that provided therapy for her arm for FREE until the age of 3. At the time, it had nothing to do with income, it was free to everyone who needed it. Look for something like this where you live and feel free to contact me via email.

Wow...Jessy....

Your story sounds JUST LIKE MINE. My son was born March 3rd and was 9lbs 7oz. He also can move his and and his elbow slightly. We have an appointment at the Children's Hospital on Monday and are searching for as much info as possible.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the answers to your post

That is very encouraging Mandie! Thanks....

"The injury "usually" heals from the hand up the arm."

This is interesting to find out....

Also, I loved your idea of keeping a video. The progress from what I understand is slow and seeing small improvements marked on video will probably be encouraging.

Chrystal

I think that PT is physical therapy... but what is OT?

Thanks,

Chrystal

PT is physical therapy, OT is occupational therapy. Joshua has had both, and frankly at his age (now 13 months) there hasn't been a whole lot of difference. Exactly what *is* a 1 year old's "occupation"? I used to joke with his OT that she had to teach him to suck his thumb, since that was his only "job" back then

Kate

My daughter added OT at 13 months and iwe think of it as OT works on fine motor, and pt works on gross motor. OT works on active range and strength, PT works on passive range and strength. That is a tremendous simplification, but it does help clarify the differences.

We personally haven't noticed a difference between OT and PT... we've had each and they have been the same. Maybe it's been because each person has known she was the only one working with Joshua, so perhaps they've both just automatically tackled the whole range of issues?

Kate

Welcome to our group,

I don't visit too much anymore as I'm part of a smaller more personal group that I enjoy. I wanted to say hello and I'm so sorry for your child's injury. As I'm sure so many others here have pointed out, each injury is vastly different. Our OT just said yesterday that she has yet to see a BPI child who has the same injury, movement or therapy. They are just so different.

I wish you the best of luck with your childs recovery. Try to remain positive but be aware that the injury may not recover by itself.

My daughter was injured and only had a bit of hand/wrist movement at birth. They said she would recover in a few weeks... she did not. She had to have nerve graft surgery at 6 months and continues to have therapy every week as well as follow ups with the surgeon. The recovery process is slow and sometimes sad for us parents. I do wish you the best.

I'm a PTA - so I can clarify a bit on the difference...

In general, OT tends to work upper extremities and PT does lower extremities. That is not to say PT is not trained in both upper and lower - we are. OT will focus more on the movement of the hand/arm where PT would focus more on the entire body (typically - but when it comes to Early Intervention this differs). Hope this helps.