United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Derek,

Our daughter could move her fingers and wrist at birth. Her injured arm also felt limp. When she was 2 mos. old she started to move her arm at the shoulder. From then on, she continued to make improvements. At her 2 week check up her Dr. started her with PT once a week. We would do ROM exercises with her at home. When she was 1 yr. they added hydro therapy. We also participate in a horseback riding therapy program in the summer. She is four now and does everything that a four year old can do. IT is her right arm that has the injury and she is right handed but she does great with writing and coloring etc. She also goes to gymnasitic lessons. One thing that she has trouble with is throwing a ball overhand.

If you are seeing some 'action' in Zach's arm that is encouraging.

As her nerves 'repaired' themselves, it was important for us to do ROM exercises for her so that her muscles would stay limber. Her recoverery would come in spurts. At the suggestion of our Dr. we would roll up a receiving blanket and kind of 'prop' her arm up when she was sleeping. This gave her shoulder\arm support.

I replied to your message because your situation sounds alot like our's.

dawn

Missy?St. Paul? Lol! what do I know huh? LOL
Thanks for correcting me!

Francine...you weren't wrong. I've always said Minneapolis because most people are more familiar with that than St. Paul. Minneapolis and St. Paul are also affectionately called Twin Cities by us Midwesterners!! The Mississippi River divides the two cities. There's some geography for you!

Have a nice weekend,
Missy

hi Derek CONGRADULATINS!!!!
My son had exactly EXACTLY the amount of movement that you describe at his birth, well not even the hand movement, but fingers, and he is doing VERY well, ,no surgery, as yoou already correctly assumed, yes, therapy will be on your list but, well ...its a great way to bond with your baby
This site is frequented most by those with severe injuries that choose surgery so that is what you will hear most about on this site, being aware of that fact may help you to objectively sort thru the information.
There are many who are experiencing fantastic results with regular chiropractic adjustments to be started as soon on as possible, I strongly urge you to review this, discuss it with your therapist,pediatrician or chiropractor asap ...most of the "bpi specialists" listed and referred on this site are surgeons, they specialize in surgical interventions only and are usually not up to date regarding other modalities such as latest breaking non surgical therapies and chiropractic.At least I know they werent at all when I was coming thru 3 years ago with my son, best of luck and dont forget, you have the most fantastic blessing in the world!!!!!
CONGRADULATIONS on your beautiful baby!
mom@bellsouth.net

Congratulations on your precious gift. Welcome to this site. As others have posted each child is different as is there recovery. My daughter just turned two and we also had very similar movements at birth- we went to therapy right away and still continue therapy 3x a week plus we do ROM every day and home play therapy for at least 30 min every day. My daughter has had great recovery- most people can not see a difference in her arms- she does have deficits winging scapula, higher shoulder at times, and only about 90% supination but all this was gained without surgery. She can touch behind her neck and back and reach abover her head almost straightly. We have consulted with surgeons/specialists all along both in Texas and Boston and both said no surgery-but I believe the injury in our case was more of a stretch than a tear and that agressive therapys have helped. We also did homeopathy in the beginning and magnet therapy. You will do lots of research, hear lots of things and in the end make your own choices. Blessings be with you on your journey- enjoy your little one don't let this consume you as the time flys by. Carole

Can you please share with us what the "latest breaking non-surgical therapies" are? Can any of these non-surgical therapies help children regain nerve innervation once interupted by a rupture or avulsion?

Respectfully,
francine

NO SURGEON will do a surgery on a child with brachial plexus injury if it is unnecessary.

We at least know that Texas Childrens Hospital turns many children away even moments before a surgery if they feel the child has made enough gains to avoid it. We have proof of that here in the people who visit this message board. We hear of it often. And quite frankly - these people end up moving on with their lives and don't frequent the message board as often or at all because they don't need the same level of support.

We pray for all that their children will not need surgery and will get turned away. It brings us all GREAT JOY when this happens!

It is very important for you to see a brachial plexus specialist to get an understanding of the nature of your child's injury. They are the specialists - they deal with it every day - they know the ins and outs. Yes - they are surgeons - but it gives them great joy to turn a child away too!

take care,
francine

Derek
Congrats on your new little boy! I am so happy to hear how much he has already recovered! We live north of Eau Claire, WI, and I just wanted to tell you about a great therapy place in Hudson...It's called the Special Children's Center...very cool place for OT and PT!
Pam

Hey Pam,
I didn't realize you lived in WI. I'm in NJ but my parents live in River Falls, WI. My mother took Amanda home with her when she was only two months old because we were in the process of moving. Anyway, she took her to the clinic you mentioned in Hudson. They even videotaped the session for us so that I could use it as a guide to home therapy. The therapists who worked with her were amazing. I remember they mentioned that they worked with a little boy who had the surgery in Texas. I wonder if that was Parker?!?!?! It's a small world isn't it?

To Derek,
My sister lives in St. Paul. She works at a Pediatric Rehab center called The Courage Center. They also have wonderful therapists and a therapeutic pool. Good luck and I hope your son has a great recovery! Congratulations to you and your wife!

Rachel