Arm length differences?

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
AlannahD
Posts: 234
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 3:55 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 7-year-old granddaughter, LOBPI

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by AlannahD »

Alannah's arm at times seems to be a tiny bit shorter than her uninjured one, and at times it does not! I think it may depend on her growth rate at the time! Camille B. (grandma)
katep
Posts: 1240
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:20 pm

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by katep »

You won't see a lot of actual difference (meaning centimeters or inches of difference) in a young child, because they are so small to start with. But the Kozin study showed that the *proportional* difference was stable between 4 and 16 years old. A difference of 10% would be hard to detect in a small child, with small arms to start with! For instance, our second son is 18 months old. His forearm is 10cm long. If it was 10% shorter than the other, it would be only 1cm shorter... less than half an inch, which would be hard to detect. But as an adult, his forearm will be about 3x that length, so that 1cm difference would eventually become more than 3cm - or about an inch and a half.

It's very tough to tell about upper arm length differences because, as Francine pointed out, the upper arm can hang very differently if it is subluxed, making the arm "appear" shorter than it actually is.

Kate
JamieMarie'smommie
Posts: 178
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:21 am

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by JamieMarie'smommie »

Mica,
Jamie's right(affected) arm is shorter than her left. I find the only "negative" problem if you can call it that is that when she wears tanktops the right strap slips off her sholdur.
Mica
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:27 am

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Mica »

Sorry I'm just checking this thread again! Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer this question - and thank you for all the detail you provided!

I was hoping that a difference would have already shown itself if it would happen, but somewhere inside I knew that couldn't be correct. Thank you for your honesty.

As Aria's mom, I so desperately want to spare her some of the horrors associated with her injury - especially physical and emotional pain... I read some of the posts from the adults with this injury and I'm just blown away by their strength and fighting spirits.

Okay, now I'm babbling. Again, thank you for sharing with me about this subject.
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Carolyn J »

Dear Mica,
YOUR daughter Aria will blow you away too because she IS and will continueto be Strong Spirited, and Resilient after surgeries/medical interventions!! Remember, too, that we OBPI-er's are very stubborn willed. We are awesome!! ;)

HUGS all around,
Carolyn J LOBPI/68+..
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Mica
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:27 am

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Mica »

You most certainly are awesome! I tell everyone that I have a 9 month old who is stronger than I am!!!
Sidney's Mom
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:55 pm

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Sidney's Mom »

Mica, Sidney is now a year old and I noticed a difference at 10 months of age. Her right arm is shorter than the other. I haven't measured the difference,probably because I don't really want to know.
Olivias mommy

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Olivias mommy »

Mica

Olivia turned 3 in April. As you know, Olivia also has a bilateral injury. Her left arm is much more severe than the right. At her last splinting appointment, I asked the orthodist to measure her arms. They still measure the same, and I dont notice any difference in the sizes of her hands.

Hope this helps.

Veronica
Mom of Olivia, 3, Bi-OBPI
Mica
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:27 am

Re: Arm length differences?

Post by Mica »

Thank you!

Today is a better day for us. Aria is trying ever so hard to use her right arm, and I am feeling hopeful.

:)
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