United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

another "alternative" ...or can be used in conjunction with...
would be taping,
http://www.kinesiotaping.com

Well, she's never been evaluated by a surgeon so I cannot answer that question. Our "medical opinion" of choice has always been a physiatrist. She's never been recommended referral to a surgeon by any of her physicians/therapists.

I don't really have an opinion/information regarding later in life issues.

Jess

Hi There,
I thought you might like to know, just for information that over here in the UK one of our specialists has had
some success with botox injections instead of surgery.
The idea is that it's less invasive than a surgical procedure and that the muscles which are working too hard are temporarily paralysed in order to perform extensive and intensive physiotherapy on the weaker muscles to try and bring about a better balance.
It's a small group really at the moment and it seems to have been quite successful in most children although, a couple of parents were reported as saying they didn't feel it had benefitted their child very much. Some children have still gone on to have surgery, but for some it has worked very well.
I am not advocating this procedure, I just thought that you may like to know the sort of work going on over here
Kindest wishes to you all
Karen

We were recommended to try Botox at one point with lauren for an elbow contracture. We were able to improve it with other means but as apprehensive as I was with the Botox I would say that if I thought it would help I would choose that over surgery.

Jess