United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Happy holidays to you all.I need to hear from anyone who was or are going to tharepy.Im finally(after 3 years )able to lift my arm to 150 degrees,thanks to the aggressive stretching,etc at therapy.My problem is........they say they dont think I will get much strength back.This is work related also and they seem to think Comp will say "she has the range,we paid for that 3 years,enough is enough".Ive be worried about this since I was told this last week.I waited/worked hard this long for the range.IS IT impossible to get some strenghth.Plese help.

Hi, i'm in the UK so it might be different than in the USA, but i had physiotherapy for a couple of years after the accident and continue to do excercise at home to increase the strength in my arm and ROM in my shoulder. My physio explained to me that our muscles are like electric motors, waiting for the current coming down through the nerves to work. If the nerves are damaged and only recover to deliver say, 50% of the 'current' then the muscle that nerve innervates will only operate at 50% strength. Hopefully as your nerves regenerate you will get increased strength in your arm. Good luck.
Dave

Hi Sandi,
I've worked very hard to regain strength in the muscles that are partially innervated. My bicep went from not being able to even lift my arm, to lifting 5lb weights. I know it's not much, but it is getting much better.

How high can you lift the 5 pounds? Are you in therapy?How long has it taken to get to 5 pounds?My arm was totally dead and now the nerves aare about healed.Im stil at only 3 and can raise that maybe half way up standing.How long have you had this?
Sandi

My BPI happened 4 years ago this month. I'm no longer in therapy, but I go to the gym 2-5 days a week and work whatever I can. I've just started lifting the 5lb weights. It took 2 years to be able to lift my arm. I have always been able to feel something in my bicep, so I just kept trying, and eventually it did get stronger.