United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Bridget - can you tell us more about the timeline for Ian's contracture? I look at Maia's elbow contracture and I fully understand that everyone's different - but I guess I'm curious at what degree of contracture you felt that you would try therapy over surgery, and so forth. What degree was his contracture at, at the time of surgery? And how much left did he have to go after the surgery. Just curious.

I'm also interested in your take on the dynasplint.
We did use it once and I had great concerns over the 'fit' and the 'placement'. How did this work out for you and do you think that a custom fit splint like ultraflex would have been easier in any way? What did Ian think of the splint.

And finally - do you have any pictures of him in his splint?? and pictures of him in his cast?

Do you think I've pummeled you with enough questions??
Thanks,

francine

Thanks everyone. Doesn't sound too easy to me, not right now while we are still in splinting from the caps anyway. It will be ok.

The contracture (her therapist decided that we shouldn't call it that until it went to 90 and no more movement) is very slight with PROM but about 30 degrees AROM and she normally keeps it at closer to 90. But she suddenly developed these popping, cracking and grinding sounds (and we can feel them) when we get her out to about 15 degrees and she has pain. She has been carrying the elbow a bit and quite frankly she states--it hurts and she whimpers and does that shallow breathing / grunting thing. The PT says the tendon has hardened and that is what we are feeling and hearing and the increase in pain (she just started chewing at her fingers this week as well) is from increased sensation she beleives. I think I believe Katie--it hurts.

We are back and forth on this one and will be speaking more with Dr. Nath next week. He just says in the next few months, not immediately. ALthough kim wants to get it over with before summer starts, if we are going that route.

I guess the one thing that keeps popping into my head is the post--we waited too long and couldn't get full extension. Darn it, i was doing pretty good at convincing myself that a brace should be a good start. Thanks again--and how big is this incision? Is it close enough they could go through the caps or mod incision?

good lucks caps parents and kiddos. expect some stiffness and slight weakness but it starts working out very quickly. katie is 11 weeks post and is ready fir her splint to come back on at night.

thanks for the prayers and support. and letting me get scared.