Tendon Transfers????

[Syds_Mom]

Hi, first of all I want to say what a great site this is. In the two years I have been gathering information on BPI I have never found such a wonderful site!

My question is.... I have a little girl, Sydnee, whom is 2 years old that has a ROBPI. The Doctors and OT's said that she is doing awesome, but that later in her life (7-8yrs of age) that my husband and I may want to opt for "tendon transfers" if we feel that it would benefit her. I guess what I am wondering is, what exactly does this procedure do for the patient, and why would it be performed later in her life rather than sooner? Has anyone had to have this procedure done? The OT had mentioned that it would just be like a "tune-up", if we decided to do this... Any info would be so helpful. Thanks!

Cara -Syd's mom

[admin]

Hi,
My son Ryan is also 2, we just came from the Dr's today and we were also told that he may benefit from a tendon transfer. I have been searching on-line for some research but haven't had any luck. We were told that they would do it now but he has not been cooperating in therapy and therapy will play a big role in recovery. Ryan has also been doing amazing. I wish you guys the best of luck and I hope we both get some much needed information.

[claudia]

"Tendon transfers" is the generic way of saying what has in the past been called the 'Mod Quad'. Some people call it the "Hoffer Procedure."

And yes, it is "fine tuning". It is wonderful that your children are doing so well. However, sometimes, and this is a choice YOU make, kids will benefit from a transfer of a tendon or two so they can perform an action that they can't now. Perhaps your child can only raise the affected arm up parallel with the floor or can't get their hand to their ear... Again, any child who has done well enough to wait until he or she is 7 to do transfers, is doing very well.

I encourage you to get a number of opinions. We have a great medical resourse listing on this website. You can send videos, emails, and call the doctors. I think you should meet them too, but if time is not of the essence, you can schedule your meetings around vacation time. Search the message boards as well, discussions of surgeries abound.

good luck,
claudia

[admin]

My daughter had tendor transfers as well as shoulder work done for a dislocation one year ago. She was 2 years and 4 months at that time. Our surgery did not have a name to it. Our surgeon, DR Waters in Boston, basically calls it a secondary procedure. The reason for his terms is b/c not all patients who will have this secondary procedure will have the transfer, and maybe some will not have the shoudler work. It is different for every child depending on the individual injury. In my experience, Ella's surgery was a huge miracle for her. It was a tune up I guess you could say, but one that will last forever. After surgery she was able to so things that she never did before. For example, touch behind her head on her neck. Today she is doing great. The surgery has given me hope forher to have an almost perfect arm. IF you want me to answer any specific questions feel free to email me at anytime...
Ldybug4134@aol.com

[admin]

krista-
what kind of shoulder work did she have done?
A-

[TNT1999]

Tendon transfers is a general term and could mean a variety of procedures -- so many different tendons. Being that your daughter is doing so well, it probably is what others have been describing -- Mod Quad / secondary, etc. I wanted to point out though that I have often heard of tendon transfers being done prior to a Gracilis Muscle Transfer (a surgery to help hand function). If your daughter is doing awesome, it doesn't sound like that would be what they were referring to, but I did want to point it out for others reading this thread. The best thing is to clarify it with whoever recommended it -- exactly what they were meaning. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it too much now, but it is good that you have the info. so that you can keep it filed away in the back of your mind. ~Tina

[espiper]

I had the Mod Quad in January and it involved relocating 5 muscles and 2 tendons and unpinching my radial nerve so Mod Quad I don't believe is just tendons being transfered - muscle groups are involved as well. What I can tell you however is that I went from being able to raise my arm passively from 65* to 162* within a month and actively raising my arm from 45* to now 100* and still climbing! So I am all for it as it has already changed my life and I am expected to be able to raise my arm overhead within 12-15 months - and I am 38!

[admin]

Guest-
Ella had the Anterior Capsule Release.
An arthoscopic procedure.

~Krista~

[admin]

Well, I am not very good with medical terms, but in a nut shell this surgery will:
1. Put the ball back in the socket (in a less invasive manner b/c of the arthoscopy) in a normal position.
2. Give the child external rotation.
3. Help the arm positioning get back to normal b/c of the external roation.
4. This will help with other things. Example, achieve better ROM.
Ella's shoulder looks normal also. It isn't sloped down like it was prior to the surgery.
I am sure someone else can give you better info on this. Hope this helps a bit though.
~Krista~

[hope16_05]

Cara, Syds Mom,
Did the doctors say where they were talking about doing a tendon transfer, because as I understand from reading the other responses there are several places they do tendon transfers. The ones previously talked about in responses seem to be more shoulder region stuff. I had a tendon transfer done in my wrist/hand to give me functional use of my right hand. With out having my tendon transfer I would have had no functional use of my hand because it was in a tight fist that I could not open using the little muscle that I had. Tendon transfers are procedures that can wait because they only get stronger with time. Also older children/adults are more willing to do therapy which will greatly increase results.
Hope that answers some of your questions,
Amy