United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi! I haven't posted for a while. I am a 50-year-old ROPBI and am wondering if I should consider any of the surgeries which weren't available when I was younger. I've had a total of 4 tendon transplants in my wrist & hand, the most recently being when I was 23. Although the surgeries were successful, the tendonitis has worsened as I got older.
My left so-called "good arm" has been showing signs of over-use for the last 10 years or so. I have tendonitis in my fingers, wrist & elbow. None of my current discomfort is anything that I can't handle.
Which leads me to my concern about any future surgery. I cannot straighten my right arm, or turn it outward. I have a winged right scapula. My right shoulder appears to be non-existant, because of the way my arm has been injured. (I've grown used to wearing tops with shoulder pads to try to cover the deformity!) I have quite a bit of lower back & shoulder pain.
My question is this: I have quite a high threshold for pain (I think most of us with this injury do.) I've learned to adapt over the years & find ways to accomplish what I need to do, in spite of this injury (another achievement with which we are all quite familiar, I'm sure!). I'd like to hear from anyone who has had any corrective surgery as an adult, and learn what kind of results you've had, both good & bad.
I know that as I age, the pain will worsen. I just don't know if I want to risk further pain & disability.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I can't tell you how much it's meant to me to find this website! Like most of you, I felt totally alone with this problem, until I discovered UBPN. God Bless all of you and have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!

Cyndi

who is to say who is too old? I am 38 and just had Mod Quad and it has changed my life. I had an orthopedic surgeon and pysiatrist say "but you have already adapted". Forget that!!! Never too late for an improvement but maybe the best thing is to call one of the doctors - I went to Dr. Nath in Houston - he has done 1200 adult surgeries for OBPI.
Suzy

If there is a surgery the will help you and perhaps you will give up having to compensate for certain motion I say go for it or at least try to find out if there is something available for you.

Compensation make a huge impact on our bodies. Compensation leads to future secondary injuries. In your 50's you can still prevent some of the issues that aging with bpi injury can impose on us.

If I had had an opportunity in my 50's I would have taken it in a heart beat... later on there are other complication that sometimes prevent us from going forward with surgery and chronic issues that can't be repaired....
Just my humble opinion
Kath

Cyndi,

I had the mod quad surgery at age 47 and it made a lot of improvement both in my range of motion and in the pain I was experiencing.

Only a bpi specialist can determine if you are a good candidate, because the extent and range of our injuries vary so much. But age should not be a factor.

You will need to make a considerable commitment to therapy after the surgery to see results and this needs to figure into your decision.

Nancy Birk
LOBPI 51 years
UBPN President

YES,YES,YES,....I 3rd the motion for surgery. Like Kath and Nancy, had I known I too would have run,not walk to Dr. Nath, not stopping at the word "GO"!!!
~Hugs to all today,
Carolyn J,LOBPI
age 67,& proud of it!

Thanks so much for responding. I was starting to think that nobody had any corrective surgery done as adults! I've already contacted Dr. Nath via E-Mail & his office wants me to send a video of my range of motion, etc. I haven't done it yet. I don't know why, I'm just a little sceptical. Of course, I'm also concerned about expense, & insurance coverage.
I understand that I would need to commit to physical therapy afterwards, & that's really no problem. I guess I'm REALLY concerned about further tendonitus & pain, & length of recovery.
I can't even imagine being able to straighten my arm!
Thanks again to all of you who responded. This website if a God-send!
Hugs to All,
Cyndi