United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

ANYONE HEAR OF A GRICILIS OR ANY OTHER MUSCLE TRANSFER FOR REGAINING SCAPULA/DELTOID FUNCTION?

Chris I have not heard of the muscle transfer for this BUT that does not mean that it has not been done or that it cant be done! Have you talked to a sergeon about it yet? Let us know how you get on with it!

COurt

Yes I have heard that, as my husband had TBPI back in Feb 2005 and he has undergone two major surgeries in which they transfer gracilis from his left and right thigh..
Still have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Shafali.
shafalipalhan@yahoo.com

How far out from injury was he when he had the surgery?

Chris, if I Understand it corrdectly, and I htink I do, this muscle transfer can be done whenever.... its not like nerve work that has a time frame! CHeck with a doc.. to be sure or maybe Ellen can help here too. How are you Chris??

COurt

Hi Chris,

My son John has had two gracilis transfers, but not for that specific function. His deltoid was instead powered by a infraspinatur, supraspinatus contralateral C7 with interposition sural nerve grafts. (Try saying that three times really fast.)

Others are correct, though, in writing that with the gracilis transfer, since the doctor is bringing the muscle & tendon from the leg - original muscle atrophy is less of an issue.

Hope this helps - if not, keep asking!

Ellen

Thanks Guys! I understand what your saying with the muscle transfer being different, but wouldn't I still need a working nerve there? And without one, there would need to be a nerve transfer, but then we get back into timeframes being too far extended.

Ellen,
When was John's gracilis transfers done?

Hi, Chris. The advantage of the gracilis muscle transfer is that since muscle & tendon are brought into the arm, that means there is now undamaged muscle to work with. You are right that the nerves to innervate that muscle have to be transferred. For John, between transferred nerves to original muscles & the gracilis, he has return of biceps, triceps, deltoid & also hand grip/release. (He had lost all five bpi nerves.) His accident was Nov'01 & the surgeries were Feb & Apr '02. At that time, Mayo did one gracilis at a time but I think now they're doing everything at the same time.

Since the gracilis is brought in, this can be done after the original muscles have atrophied. I think it's Rocket Ray who had gracilis done at Mayo quite a few years after his accident.

Hope that helps. Keep asking questions...

Ellen

Thanks Ellen. I'm not sure why Mayo would not perform this on me then. How do I reach Rocket Ray?

Hi Chris,

I had a had a free gracilis muscle transfer from my left thigh to my right upper extremity for elbow flexion. I also had a Steindler flexorplasty and ulnar nerve transfer done at the same time. My surgery was just done November 23, 2005 so I am still waiting to see if it will help me get back elbow flexion. My injury was in 1987 from a car accident. Even though I had my surgery 19 years after my injury, the doctors said it was still possible to help me. I always had use of my hand and wrist. This surgery was just to help me regain elbow flexion. The surgery went well, as is my recovery. I will keep everyone posted of my progress. I recommend you talk to the doctors at Mayo Clinic, Drs Shin, Spinner and Bishop to see what they can do for you.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Rocket Ray