United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am thinking
I always wonder how much scare tissue builds up over time in nerve stretch injuries ??
I know from nerves that were torn there is alot of scare tissue over the years driving a semi, with birth erbs
When pain increase on scare tissue areas and cramping happen , I stretch my arm in the opposite direction of pain area it seems to take the pulling off scare tissue area. Dealing with scare tissue happens to the nerves area of these injury, I
I use ice alot on these area above and below the nerve that hurts. I also take gravity off my arm and hand by arms on chairs and choices It great taking gravity of the shoulder
I dont know if this will help here?? Just what help me over the years
Tom

thanks for the thoughts!
i was just having the conversation tonight about scar tissue...well...i do believe that post injury - even a stretch - will result in scar tissue. it is a question as to what degree. pursuing functional movement without provocation of symptoms is optimal - but very difficult to achieve - i always seem to over do it.

for me, i am hopeful that with "clear" mri and emg's and that the injury itself was not THAT bad of a stretch (almost 4 mo out full ROM, pain/fatigue in scap, cervical, and facial region...BUT i have a lot of good days with very few symptoms ~ they are still easily provoked with very little upper extremity physical activity) i am hoping that i am still within the 6 month "recovery".....hmmmm. and will be symptom free (?????????) by then.....

as far as gravity goes - i am grateful for pockets in my pants and waistbands not to mention shirts that i have rolled my hand into take weight off...my console in my car, pillows galore on my couch : )....

i see my neurologist on friday and have been considering trying a "high dose" steroid to sort of "jump start" things....it makes sense to me from a "recovery" sort of perspective ~ but if i do not see any significant changes, i need to look at pain management : (

i want to go back to work.
again - thanks for your thoughts - they are very much appreciated!
jen

Its all about the pain
Its a life long quest to find something for the pain of the injury and the enduring pain when we find ways to try to adapt
I believe if there is the cause for the pain is nerve stretch and the extra pull of the scar tissue, If there is now a surgery to lessen scare tissue and the pull on the already stretch nerve , it might be a great help for all our pain quest
I can tell you have learned to fine your way with these injuries, it takes alot of time to endure higher level of pain in are trys
I dont understand how I am in less pain in trying to overcome something or the pain level it creates ????
But there is something that happens to us overtime learning new approaches of body mechanics and modification with the good arm assisting the other in doing things or sometimes it how we can learn a new foot or seating position for the task.

Doing these things help me to drive a semi and to load and unload a semi
I am in Aw, by so many post and the achievement made here and posted
I guess we all are gluttons for pain were left with no matter if the injury happen at birth or latter in life I guess to overcome pain for a while we just keep trying new ways to try to adapt in a two hand world

Tom

so - i had f/u with neuro.
when i arrived at clinic, a case manager from workman's comp was there. OK. that is fine.

i am straight forward with her and feel hopeful that this person could potentially help facilitate things. she of course asks to sit in on visit - which i am fine with - "as long as the focus is on my getting better".

The whole thing starts to feel weird as the case manager questions the onset of the injury and presenting symptoms (the fact that i am getting facial spasms ALONG with severe cervical/shoulder region pain and generalized weakness of arm/hand with increase of activity) and that the neurologist CLEARLY states that this is NOT TYPICAL. and so, the case manager begins to question - "so, is it possible that there is something else COINCIDENTALLY that is going on? all of this could be related to something else?"......you get it....

that is CRAZY TALK. it seems fairly clear to me what is going on (although - i have been wrong on occasion)....The facial spasms are clearly related to original injury - which is clearly a brachial plexus injury - sorry it is not text book - but i do not believe for a minute that there is anything else going on.....and - the facial spasms don't even bother me - it is the loss of strength and increase in sensations and slow return of UE function...it does seem to return each time - which i am hopeful of....

i got referred for to a physical medicine and rehab doctor who specializes in pain management. i feel good with this. i certainly get the sense that the case manager is trying to get me back to work at ALL costs. i understand her job. I want to get back to my job as both a mom and a therapist and not have this turn into a chronic condition. i believe there is the potential for that. I am not totally sure on the course of action - I know that my living has been simplified on many levels - i can complete light housework. I do not raise my arm above shoulder height often due to pain. i cannot weight bear on my arm.

i also signed up for bpi clinic in philadelphia with dr. nath at the end of the month. i am hopeful of some more insight. and i do feel that i should see a specialist. neuro and wc case manager did not see very impressed with this????i am not sure why.

does anyone know - i am trying to contact a member via personal message - but the feature is not working. is there another way to contact them?

if you read all of this - thank you - i assure you i have read many of yours : )

jen

Hi Jen,
When my good arm got rip up driving a semi , I had a Wc case that ended in Permeant total disability, my other arm birth erbs.
In a workman compensation case they have ether a wc case manager or a nurse case manager had
Stay in contact so you get your checks, When you get a lawyer this contact ends with the case manager, every thing goes to him.
Its very important to get and keep records, so when you do see a wc lawyer you have them.
I hope there paying for your trip to see Doctor Nath ???
In a wc case you have the choice of 3 doctor.
Because you may not be able to do your job any more you are initialed to be retrain at the insurance expense.
What they want to dismiss with your injuries or not relate is to minimize percent of loss in the end.
I had a issue to ware they were trying to dismiss part of my injury you stick to it, a lawyer and one of your doctor will help to make sure the hole injury is included
When you do reach the point to ether settle, make sure all doctors have been paid other wise it comes out of the settlement amount and the lawyers expense to.
If you do settle then you loss a lot like future medical and any pay difference in a retraining job.
What happens if you get worse in time and cant do that job
I had to educate myself overtime to not take a settlement and just take a check for life and have future medical for life to.
when you hit PTD my lawyer tried everything he could do , to have me settle tick me off, He wanted his money from a settlement not being paid over a 5 year period.
lawyers in the end revolve around settlements , not leaving a lot for future issues you will have or what you are giving up by settling.
I hope this helps ?? This is what my experience was in a WC case I had
Tom