United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello i Am new my name is Salina.
My daughter is 4 months and sufferd rbpi.
Dr.Hentz said she needs primary surgery she has erbs palsy.
Can anyone explain to what will happen if i decide not to get the surgery done?
What will happen with her arm later on.
She also has bad waiters tip..
Please help im really scared.

Well first off I hope your daughter gets better. If your daughter gets primary she has a better shot at feeling in all of her arm and hand, also she would have a better chance of muscle improvement. Maybe even less troubles doing every day things. That about all I can say as I have not had this surgery and every injury is different.
Hope that this helps.
Amy

I had a waiter's tip as a child as well. I am 33 years old and had surgery last year with Dr. Nath in TX. Had I not had that surgery, my arm was starting to slowly atrophy (shrink) and paralyze itself. With age the arm does tend to get worse. I know it is hard at this point in time to make such a decision especially when your child is so little and precious. However, the doctor told me had I had the surgery when I was younger, the chances of recovery were alot better. It's up to you and you have definately come to the right place to get your questions answered. Good Luck to you.

Hello. My son was diagnosed with Erb's Palsy when he was 2 months old. He was referred to Texas Children's Hospital by our local neurologist. He had the primary surgery when he was 5 months old. He had severe waiter's tip and no movement in his arm. He is now 2 years old and I never regret the primary surgery and the other surgeries that have been performed. I know how it feels to be scared and worried, but by far those brief feelings were forgotten when I saw improvement in hand function. Very shortly after his primary surgery we began noticing him being able to move his wrist better. This is a decision that you must make, but just know that many parnets have and will feel what you are feeling, but you should think about the positive outcomes that this surgery could possibly have. I know that trusting doctors will be a challenge for you since this injury, however my advice to you is to get a good attorney and find a BPI team that you can have confidence in. I know that it is hard, but I am sure that you will make the right decision. I never regret having this done b/c now our son is able to use his hand and wrist. He receives Occupation Therapy for hand function and Physical Therapy to help in arm function. Our son has no arm function yet but he is able to use what wrist function and finger function he has and it helps to make you positive. We pray for arm function, but just seeing him able to extend his fingers just makes me very glad we had the primary surgery. Best of luck to you and you will be in my prayers. Feel free to email me anytime. njacoby499@yahoo.com

Natalie