United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I live in Nova Scotia Canada, I have yet to hear anything about getting surgery from my doctors. I really don't know what to do. I can't even get a hold of him I call and call but its getting pointless. Its been 6 months and from what I have read 6 months is too late, I am getting down because it feels like there was nothing I could do. I geuss I didn't try hard enough. Is there really a 6 months best period.
Thanks Chris

hey chris, i was 6 months out too. its ok! but dont wait too long ok? email me anytime.

Hi Chris,

My understanding is that doctors generally like to wait ~3 months to see if the nerves start working again on their own. If that doesn't happen, then the goal becomes getting the muscles innervated before they start to atrophy - which will happen if they're not getting any kind of workout.

This is where electrical stimulation (e-stim) comes in. I think most doctors support it by now - the Mayo Clinic certainly does. E-stim is a small, battery powered unit that sends a charge (varying degrees based on your control) to the target muscle, causing it to contract as if a nerve had sent the signal. This helps keep the muscle going until nerves (repaired or transferred) can grow out to it. Since nerves only grow ~1"/month, this can sometimes take awhile (for John, the contralateral C7 from his good arm took the longest, almost 2 years).

And... if the timeframe is longer & bpi muscles wouldn't be functional, several bpi clinics offer muscle/tendon transfers.

Hope this helps!

Ellen

my arm is starting to atrophy i think, can you explain what that really means. The muscle stimulators those are at a rehabilitation center or something. My muscles look like they are gone allready. Thanks sooooooo much for replying i really need feedback
Chris
take care

Your posts are making me wonder if your doctor is a bpi specialist (adult onset). If not, you really need to link up with one. The following website lists 3 bpi specialists in Canada - are any of them near you? I assume you'd need a referral - how hard will that be for you to get?

http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/canada-bpi.html

I expect there are more sophisticated muscle stimulators at a facility & it'd be great if you can go there as often as possible. But John also had a small one at home so he could do it every day.

Atrophy is when the muscle begins to get smaller. I think I've been told it can take up to a year for a muscle to completely go.

Hope this helps - keep us posted.

Take care,

Ellen

Hey Chris.... (Thanks for the mail Jamie!)
I did not have my first surgery until 9 months after my accident! Then I had my second surgery 21 months after that with a different surgeon! I understand that you are nervous..... I was worried about time, I am sure had I had surgery sooner I Might have better function now BUT there is no WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN for me! I did the best I knew how at the time and that is all that any of us can really do! Check that link that Ellen put about the medical resources, see about seeing a different doctor. I know things are different in NS than in the states but see about getting a new doctor or a second opinion or something. I have complete use of my hand slight triceps and very very slight biceps (C5 & 6 avulsed, C7 & 8 ruptured and T1 stretched). I am looking at probably one or two more surgeeries yet! YEAH!! DOnt lose hope!!! Keep moving your arm, ROM stuff, that will help with the atrophie too, it did with me. If there is ANYTHING Else that I can help you with please mail me!!!!!!!

COurt xx

Hi ellen
Thank you so much for the help. What I didn't have was a BPI specialist, I don't think there is one Nova Scotia. I am now trying to contact the doctors in the resource page, so i can get somebody who can help me out.
Chris

Chris, I'm so glad you're pursuing getting in touch with a specialist. It should make a huge difference.

Please keep us posted.

Ellen

Hi Chris
Here is a link to the doctors listed in this site's medical resources page for Canada http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/canada-bpi.html .I know the guy in London, Ontario, has experience with trauma injured adults, not sure about the others.
Let us know what happens :0)
Jen NZ