United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello, I wrote this post about 2 years ago. My son is now 17 years old. Has seen top specialists in south florida and now New York city. My son went through 1.5 years of PT that really did help. He had stopped winging. The doctor felt he could now proceed with the shoulder surgery to stabilize the subluxation/dislocation. He had that done was really doing great. Doctor released him to play football (his dream, we as parents should have known better) my son didnt not make through summer training camp. He came home from practice (had not even started contact)and was complaining that it was hurting, we noticed he was starting to wing again (a little) not to the degree as before. We immediately had him stop playing ball took him back to the doctor. Who said he was fine just to rest it. 3 weeks later he fell getting out of the car and it has been downhill since. His winging is back full blown. We know have him on home schooling because somedays he cant make it to school due to pain and the subluxation. He is also now experiencing severe low back pain. His original injury was under workers comp. (at 14) he was hit while bringing grocery carts into a store, his first job. The car that hit him took off. But now workers comp says they are no longer responsible for his care because it is a new injury. So we by law have to go under our no fault. We do not have a lawyer. We are thinking of applying for ss disability for him to help him through this tough time and think it is going to be awhile. I hate to do it, I am afraid it will make him feel helpless and disabled. We took him back to his doctor who we feel is making light of the situation, not really doing anything for him except wait and see. We decided it was time for a second opinion, took him to see dr. nath. Who may be a brillant doctor but I feel he was too quick to promote surgery, without taking a full history and looking closer at my sons orthopedic issues. I do not know how he can decide surgery is the answer when he saw him for 10-15 minutes and did not hardly examine or take a full history. We decided to take him to see a doctor in New york who is also top in his field and quite familiar with bpi. He said to stay away from the decompression(very stongly against it) He took a thourgh history and spent 30 minutes examining him, stated he needs to see the top shoulder specialist in the world. Also felt that in time the winging/long thoracic nerve injury may go away like last time. But stated he has never seen this happen twice, where someone healed and stopped winging and then reinjured that same nerve. Thought I would share the latest.

Hi Denise
I remember you posting a while back, that sucks that the injury appeared to recover then went wrong again. Go with your gut on the surgery and do as much research as you can-especially on long term results. I do know of someone who got much worse pain after the decompression, the scapula stopped winging but the increased pain meant she actually lost function and eventually lost her job. The doctor said there were no guarantees on pain after the surgery and had no answers for her, she said she just felt like a laboratory guinea pig that had served its purpose.

I hope you get some answers, your most recent doctor seems prepared to put in the background work on your son which is great, he's not just a scapula to be fixed, there is a person attached! Who is the specialist in New York, and is s/he in the UBPN medical resources page?
Keep us posted on how you go.
Jen NZ

I am sorry to hear aobut your son having more troubles, and at such a young age. I am sorry to hear of your experience with Dr. Nath as well. He is a very definitly a very aggressive doctor, he is my surgeon, so I can agree with this. I will tell you that he does know what he is talking about, especially when it comes to winging! But you have to go with your gut and it sounds like this doctor in NY had some great advice for you too.... you have to listen to your gut, thats really the only way! If this doc in NY is not listed in the medical resource directory here, please send his contact info so that we might be able to pass it along too! Best of luck to you!

COurt xx