AUSSIE WITH BPI,DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG AFTER SURGERY WILL I GET SOME MOV

[DEAN]

MY NAME IS DEAN LAIRD AND I HAD NERVE GRAFT SURGERY AFTER 7 MONTHS OF WAITING.HAD 3 NERVES DAMAGED IN TOTAL. A 5 CM GRAFT AND A 15 CM GRAFT.THE OTHER THEY SPLIT THE NERVE THAT WORKS MY FINGER AND RE-ROOTED IT TO THE DAMAGED NERVE. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK WITH SOMEONE IN RELATION TO MY STUFFED ARM.

[DEAN]

Thanks for the reply Jamiie.It seems that you have had your injury a lot longer than i have, how did your injury come about? Its only been 6 weeks since i had my operation and have about 18 months untill they expect movement but im hoping someone can tell me otherwise.once again thanks for the reply.

[admin]

Thanks BB from LB.
Hey Dean also feel free to email me at anytime address is nhosford@bigpond.net.au
regards Michael
P.S. Would post a bit more on this subject, but right now recovering from a big weeked with my adopted big brother.

[DEAN]

My surgeon was also Dr Micheal Biggs, done at the Royal North Shore in Sydney. I come from a town called Macksville on the NSW North Coast[near Coffs Harbour].
Got my injury in one tackle playing rugby league, freak accident.When you get back from over seas will try and find out some more about everything.
cheers Dean.

[DEAN]

Thanks for saying hello Micheal,how did you do your injury and how long ago was it? Its good to know im not the only poor bastard out there with a stuffed arm.
Its nearly 10 months since injury and only 6 weeks after surgery.
thanks dean

[admin]

Dear Dean,
Sorry to say this but welcome to the group. Sorry that you have received this injury but here we are all in the same boat. I received my injury 8th May 2004. Had a motorcycle accident and received right bpi injury. Did total avulsion of four of five nerves. Only one still connected was C5, but this was severed. Had surgery 4th August 2004, 3 months after accident by Dr Michael Tonkin at Royal North Shore. I am now nearly 12 months since accident and 8 months since nerve transplant.
I can relate to what you are going through and are probably really anxious as to what will happen and if you will ever get any movement back. My advice to you is to be patient ( I know it is hard to do). This injury does not recover overnight and sorry to say is a long time for any results to happen. Hang in there. I am able at the moment to move my shoulder and after recent visit to Dr. noticed some flicker in the deltoid, which means things that things are starting to work.
Dean my advice to you is to try and stay as positive as you can. I am 20 years old and have had to change my life totally. I am studying to start a new career and learning to deal with the use of one arm. It's a pain in the butt but I get by with the support of my family and friends and everyone on this site.
Keep up with exercises of the arm and if possible get into some hydrotherapy or water exercise. These are great to keep the arm as flexible as possible.
You did not mention if you are suffering any pain at the moment and to what extent is your BPI injury. My greatest challenge for me is the pain factor. I have it 24/7 and unfortunately it never goes away, but I am slowly learning to deal with it and the meds help as well. One day I hope to be med free and dealing with the pain a whole lot better. Have to admit though I never try to let it stop me from doing things.
The message boards are a great comfort for anyone with this injury and I am sure you will learn a great deal from everyone here.
Hang in there Dean, email me anytime will be happy to have a chat.
Take care....regards Michael

[admin]

I'm in your boat. I had surgery after 8 months from the intitial injury. It took 3 months after the intitial injury for me to get some sign of hand and wrist movement. I found a good nerve Dr. who said my progress was too slow, and put me in surgery. Two 35cm nerve grafts from C5 & C6 into the bicep, the other into the shoulder area. Said to expect to see some movement in 3-6 months. Surgery was on 3-10-05, it is now 4-19-05 and no signs of movement yet. Hope to see some soon.

[DEAN]

Hey Chris,thanks for the reply.
I actually had my operation on the 7th March 05 only 3 days before you i think. How did you do your injury and how old are you?it will be interesting to see how things go for us being close to the same date of operation. I never thought 1 tackle could change someones life so much. Where do you live?

[EllenB]

I see a good many people posting some return of movement around 6 months after surgery. Bottom line, it depends on how far the nerve needs to grow to get to the muscle (~ 1 inch / month).

Ellen