United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Debbie,
For finger extension is is generally a tendon transfer surgery. There are two flexor in the hand and one extensor group that control the fingers. There is a flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus. Then there is the extensor digitorum whish in many of up bpi people is strongly affected.

One of the two flexors is transfered and attached where the extensor would attach on to the forearm and in the hand. This on me (almost 14 years ago) left me with four scarsone one each side of my forearm and two in the pam of my hand. After almost 14 years no one notices unless I point them out. To some one that doesnt know about my surgeries I have been told they look like faint stretch marks. Not sure I like that

Any way I hope that helps and I didnt confuse any one. Another thing that I have learned is that the hand is one of the last things to work on, so if shoulder issues are still present those should be addressed before the hand because that can be done at an older age. And as far as I know many if not all doctors dont evel look at the hand until the child is at least 5 years old.

Amy 19 ROBPI from MN

B.V., I don't have the specifics on the procedure yet, but it's likely pretty much what Amy said. You see, when the surgery was recommended, that was over a year ago, but both drs. said to wait about a year. We're going to see both drs. again for updated opinions. Although we haven't seen them yet, I'm thinking that we'll pretty much be confirming the prior recommendation and going ahead with the procedure now. I don't mind you asking who we saw -- Dr. Nath and Dr. Waters. It was great when they both agreed on the procedure and timing when we saw them previously. We're scheduled to see Dr. Waters next week and Dr. Nath next month. As far as age, Nicole was 6 y.o. when both drs. told us to wait about a year. I think it's pretty common for this surgery to be done somewhere around age 6-8 y.o. and not really before 5 y.o. for the most part.

~Tina