United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, we're 11 days post Mod Quad and so far so good. Took Michaela to the pediatrician on thursday and she said," No infection". I'm relieved . We managed to keep it totally dry till tonight. I gently rubbed the wash cloth over it to try to start loosening some of the Steri-strips. We're really surprised at some of the hand and forearm movement we've been seeing.I just expected improvement in the shoulder.Believe me it's pleasant surprise!When doing the range of motion excercises at bath time, I'm really surprised at how I can already feel her helping me. Have to go to the O.T. on Tuesday to get her splint raised 5 degrees and do that every 2 weeks. I moved the buckles on the front of the splint as Francine suggests and that helped alot. Contacted TCH and they said ok to wear the wrist splint inside the SOL splint. This really helped keep her hand in the right position. Only problem we've now encountered is a rash on her chest where the corner of the splint rubs her even though it's covered in foam, so we added a tight fitting undershirt tonight. She's supposed to go back to school Tuesday. Can't wait!

It all sounds great!

Some parents do powder udnerneath the splint and say it works great.

We can't use powder so we use Eucerin for redness and Desitin for skin breakdown. The areas that really get disturbed also get wrapped in thick soft gauze. And we always use undershirts- long and/or short sleeve with stockinette on the arm.

If the same spot has a problem - please show it to your therapist - the splint may need an adjustment there.

How's bathing going?

kissies to Michaela!
-francine

Bathing's going great.We put her on the kitchen table with a quilt and towels underneath. I wash her lower half first so we don't have to hold her arm as long.Then I use a dishpan and wash her hair with the dishpan sitting on a stack of phone books in a chair and her head off the table. I wash her hair and support her head simultaneously.Then we put it in a Turbie twist towel so it won't fall down.Then off comes the splint and with a fresh washcloth I wash her upper half, dry her off and then powder all over.Then I check the wound, redress it,do the excercises, and back on goes the splint. The rubbed spot on her chest is at the top corner of the splint. I'll ask the O.T. about it tommorrow. Took 2 nights for me to get this routine down pat, but after I figured it out it was a snap. A suggestion from a friend about dressing the wound, since Michaela couldn't stand tape being pulled off her skin, we take 2 Topper dressings and unfold longways,cover the wound with one and tape the other one at the bottom of the first, wrap around back of shoulder and tape at the top. No tape on skin that way and seems to stay in place just fine.Thanks for asking! LeeAnne

Sorry Francine, How's Maia doing? LeeAnne

Glad things are going so well. Thanks for the update. Thank you also for the info. about the wrist splint. I think if Nicole ever has surgery again, I might have them fit the splint with a wrist splint on Nicole. Thanks. -Tina )