United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone,
My son Grant(LOBPI) had the mod/quad and a partial pec release Nov. 2001 @ TCH. Grant had pretty good range before M/Q but his shoulder joint was malformed. My understanding is that the "socket" never formed but instead was flat. Which allowed the bone to slide around. That is why Dr. Nath wanted to do the M/Q. I sent a tape off today for evaluation. I had a few questions so I called and spoke with Angel Lisa T's assistant. I'm sure this is a question for Dr. Nath but I've been so worried ever since I spoke to her I thought maybe some of the parents here might be able to shed some light. Here is the question. On two recent occasions when I took Grant's left hand to go on a walk I heard and felt a "pop" in his shoulder. I was not tugging or pulling with any amount of pressure. I just was holding his hand up. Angel said that the pop was a capsuldesis or a dislocation. Now I'm terrified that TCH is going to suggest another surgery. Has anyone else experienced this "popping"? Is there any correlation between having the mod/quad and the dislocations?
Thank you,
Stephanie B.

I can answer a couple of things...

Capsulodesis is the surgery that they do to correct the dislocation - they put the bone back in place and tighten the tendons around it.

Does the mod quad cause dislocations? no - the dislocation does not happen in all children, just some and it is because the socket never formed and is still flat and the bone is still moving around.

hope that helps a bit,
francine

my daughter just began to have a really contorted looking scapula winging which just came about in the last few weeks. it is so pronounced and it looks like the arm and scapula is stuck together and moves like it is one bone. i don't think that i am describing this very well. does any one know what i am talking about? i am very concerned. her pt thinks that she is experiencing weakness of the muscle by the scapula but i spoke with angel at dr shenaq office and she thought it sounded like dislocation. i am so scared, what is the earliest they will prefom this surgery?
thanks sharlon

We have also had a couple of freak outs after talking to Angel. They were about three different things. I always call back and talk to Lisa or email Dr Nath. They are both much better at explaining things to me. I usually hang up with Angel and my head is spinning. I don't mean to offend Angel. She is a very nice person and she is a great help. I just need facts and things layed out.

Jodi