United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Trying to get any information on this procedure. Has anyone's child had this done. What was the surgery like, the splinting, recovery and outcome. Thanks in advance for whatever you can pass on.
Karrie

Hi Karrie,
My 8yo son (ROBPI)had the surgery in June this year. We are from Australia so I'm not sure if they do it the same way.
Paul was in plaster for 16weeks as the bone didn't heal properly. He has not had a splint.
The outcome has been great. Paul can now button and zip his pants, tie shoe laces, type with both hands, hold a cricket bat better, and the one he is excited about is now he can shake hands like a real man.
If I can help answer any questions please let me know.
Julianne

Could someone please tell me the indications for this type of surgery? I want to know why it needs to be done and what functions are gained from it, also what functions lack to make this surgery necessary? Thank you.

In my sons case...he needs to have the acromioplasty done to correct his shoulder postion. But unlike most kids whose whole arm is internally rotated, Kyle's lower arm is all ready in neutral. So after the acromio. his lower arm will be in a supinated position,(thumb facing out away from his body) so they want to later do the forearm osteotomy to bring it back into neutral. Can you understand how I am explaining that? I hope.
Karrie

Some children cannot pronate (their normal hand position is supinated), so they do this surgery to bring the hand into a more functional position. I met a child who's arm was overly supinated. She had this done and the results were so remarkable. It was a night and day difference for her. Her entire attitude and countenance changed dramatically because her arm looked so "normal". Seeing her before and after blew me away.

My son had a dislocated shoulder which was corrected when he was 2yo. This left his lower arm just as Karrie explained which is functional at a young age ie.hand to eye co-ordination "palm up". He had a range of 110 degrees then and still does now. If he needed to try and turn his hand palm down any more than 20 degrees past neutral it came from his wrist and shoulder thus twisting his spine as well.
The range of movement is not made any different, it is just the start and end which are changed. As the kids get older the need/have activities which require "palm down". His posture is alot straighter and pain seems to have gone from his upper back/shoulder blade area. With posture change is arm is also more noticably shorter.
Julianne
PS. he hasn't had nerve surgery, had good bisceps return (slow) and a good hand.

Hello,
Just curious which doctors are recommendig this. Is this new protical?

This is not a new protocal. Infact it is a very common surgery usually preformed when a broken arm does not heal right. It can be done by any orthopeadic doctor. We will be seeing an orthopeadic specialist at Children's in D.C. for an opinion, Dr. Wilson. It is just another way to get the arm into a more natural postion for normal function.
Karrie

My son Michael will be having an Osteotomy done at Childrens in Boston by Dr. Waters next week. This will be Michael's first surgery on his arm and he will be 8 on February 28th. Although we are a little nervous we are looking forward to the many new things he will be able to do.

Patty