United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son is having his first nerve transfer surgery this Friday at 7:00 a.m. and if anyone out there can answer some general questions for us, it would be appreciated. I apologize in advance for the length of this e-mail, but my son is quite nervous about his upcoming surgery.

The questions are: (1) the doctor said that he is going to take nerves from the back of his legs (from the shin to the back of the calf - pretty log scar) and that he will loose feeling permanently in the side of his foot -- is this correct?; (2) my son is only supposed to be in the hospital for 1 day following the surgery and be released with just a sling -- is this correct?; (3) after surgery the arm cannot hang at all or otherwise it totally screws up the surgery - is this correct?; and (4) what else can he expect following the first surgery?

Thank you to anyone out there for any help you can provide. My son's injury was in early September 2004 and the CT Myelogram he just had showed no avulsions -just severing of the nerves which did not involve the spine - if that makes any sense.

Thanks again.

Hi Joanne, its Courtney here.... I think you guys are the ones that Ryan, Nathan, and i had breakfast wwith in Virginia... if that is correct HI if not HI anyways! Hey tell your son to feel free and give me a call if he wants to.... we chatted for a long while on the phone earlier... I would be happy to try and answer any questions... 2489807455, hand is sore today cant type to much!

COurt xx

Hi,

My son had nerve transfer 4 1/2 years ago. Yes they took nerves from the back of his leg, but I haven't heard Ryan say anything about not having any feeling in his foot. He also was only in the hospital over night. Yes he did have a sling, can't remember how long he had to wear it. I do know that the pain he was having, easied up a lot and he felt a lot better. Pain for him has never gone away completely.

I hope this help.

Let us know how your son is after surgery,

Best to you and your family,

Hugs, Karen

Thank you Courtney and Karen for your quick replies. Courtney I will definitely try and have Chris give you a call before Friday.

Thanks much.

Thank you Courtney and Karen for your quick replies. Courtney I will definitely try and have Chris give you a call before Friday.

Thanks much.

I'm 17 and I had nerves taken from the back of my legs. Unless your son is worried about being the next top model, he won't care. The scar is already starting to blend in with my skin and I haven't even used any cream to help it blend.

I only lost a patch of feeling on the side of my feet. I can barely notice it anymore. The worst part of the procedure is the day after he wakes up. Once they take the casts off his legs, he will feel normal.

Ultimately, the only numbness John had from the sural nerve surgery was about the size of a quarter on the outside of his foot. Not a biggie.

Ellen

GOOD LUCK CHRIS! I will call you in a few days....

COurt xx

I had the same procedure back in '99. The loss of feeling is very minimal and it is a long scar. However, had I not had that procedure I would not have the functions I do today. He will be uncomfortable sleeping with the sling (if he has to). Good luck.