United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son has a LTOBBPI and we are about 21/2" shorter at the age of ten also the hand is smaller. He were encouraged to keep him on the ground as long as possible so he walked about 6 months late...We couldn't crawl .. but we armycrawl alot. we also estim.. but not lower intensity at night... we did when he was younger though. We have alot of issues with bicep activity... but weakness... as well as pressure in the last two fingers?

Hi

My arm is about 3 1/2 " shorter ..... weak pinkie and ring finger... my hand is also smaller.

Party of my therapy was to do wheel barrel walking even up the stairs to bed at night and also taking piano lessons and learning how to touch type using all my fingers....

Kath

Hi, Sharon here. LOBPI age 55

No one ever told me to do specific "things" nor did anyone tell me not do specific "things" Like Kath says, not much was known "back when we were young" If you had movement and could use it I guess you would out grow it. I was very active child and did most every thing (except cartwheels.. Kath has yet to show me a one handed cartwheel that I never mastered) LOL

My arm is about 2 1/2 in shorter. From the elbow down my arms are the some length. I also have a slooped shoulder and what I really never paid any attention to is that the shoulder blade (down the back) is smaller or different. The first time my massage therapist saw me, she quietly asked if I had some kink of shoulder problem as there is a lot less "mass ??? (for a lack of a better word)

I really can't be of much help to you either, except to wish you and your child the best. I don't know what is offered now days for growth. But prayers and peace to you. Sharon

My left arm is much shorter than my right, about 6 inches, and my hand is about half the size. I think its a blood supply thing. I also have really bad bone density. I broke thew thumb on that hand effortlessly, and am prone to more breaking. The up-side is that the loss of feeling in it -- from the elbow down -- means I won't feel the break!

I did no exercises as a child (I'm 30 now) to increase bone strength, and now I wish I had.

Carolyn

You still can do exercises.
I am the lazy one but I know Nancy does regular exercise.

I also do water therapy... a hot tub... waving arms around and pretend swimming is great for getting the range of motion.
Our local business hotel allows us to join and use their beautiful pool... but I used the hot tub with out the jets on to help with range of motion and circulation...
I don't know if you are aware yet... but never try in cold water... due to poor circulation our arms freeze... that is why I suggested hot tub or warm pool. It is hard to find a therapy pool but the water should be about 90 degrees to get a good stretch...

I wish I had taken better care of the "good" "healthy" arm when I was younger. I did not realize that I could over work it by trying to be super woman.....

I have been in therapy most of the summer because I banged the bpi arm on the wall and knocked my self so out of balance... as a result I am moving so much better and my range of motion is better...

When was the last time you had PT... Ask your doctor to send you for some therapy to increase the range of motion and loosen up the tight muscles and it helps with circulation too.

Kath

BUMPING UP FOR Chrissie

My wrist bone didn't develop properly. I can feel it a little, but there is no "knob" where the bone should be. I also have the "droopy" shoulder as a lot of the other adults do.And even though I have been exercising daily with the arm, the muscles are pretty flax and I have upper arm jiggle
Pat