United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My 13 year old had Mod Quad on Jan.31st in Houston by Dr. Shenaq. She is splinted straight out (like a one winged airplane). She has to wear this 24/7 for 6 weeks, then 3 more weeks at night time only. She is doing great as far as discomfort. It only hurt the first few days...she sleeps great ( I was surprised at that, because it's this huge thing that goes down to her hips) It kind of looks like she's ready to go parasailing...except her arm is out! The only therapy we're suppose to do right now...is once a day I move her arm in the "marching soldier" and "jumping jack" motion about 10 times each. I guess this question is directed to you, Suzy, who also just had surgery...Are you doing more therapy than that? Of course I know that every post op protocol is totally different...I'm so happy for all of your awesome progress..it makes me hopeful for Molly. Right now we're still in the "Did this work?" situation.

Its Suzy here - since I am 38 yrs old they did not splint me like your daughter because of my age. I wore a pillow splint that kept me at about 70* out 24/7 for 3 weeks and now I wear it only at night for the next 6 weeks. I add cushions to the top of the pillow about once a week to slowly crank me open at night during the 6 weeks. If I put too much extra height in at once I wake the next day with tingly fingers - so have to watch how slowly I do up to avoid this. The first week I did nothing at all as far as stretching but then I simply was to lay on the ground and lift my arms up and over my head both straight up and then out to the side like a jumping jack. Probably similar to what you guys are doing. At 12 days post-op I started physical therapy 2x per week and started with some passive stretches 4 sets, hold each 30 seconds, 4 times a day so was literally taking about 2 hours a day to stretch. This lasted about 3 weeks. Now 5 weeks out I have progressed to about 12 stretches but only 1 hold for 30 seconds each 4 times a day and twice a day I do a set of 25 each of 8 active stregthening excersizes. So moring and night the routine takes about 20 minutes and the two other stretching session during the day takes about 10 minutes. The first 6 weeks is the critical time to stretch out the remaining tissue while things are healing - after 6 months the tissue is extremely tough to stretch out which is why I have gone through a fairly aggressive stretching program. But it worked because I went from 65* flexion passively (out in front and up) to 162* in 5 weeks and have gone from being able to lift my arm to 45* before surgery to now 90* and am fully expected to be able to reach overhead in 12-15 months. Since I am older I have to develop the neural pathways - so it isn't just a stregnth issue with us adults. I too was wondering at first if it had worked because you do lose some inward movements at first but they come back. I expect to be in therapy for a year - in another month they will ease me to once a week then once a month, etc. I don't know if the same is for young adults like your daughter. But I believe the end results are directly related to the persons dedication to the stretching and stregnthing routines. Please feel free to call me if you want to talk more. (503) 880-4682 - I am on west coast time. Suzy