United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone. Sorry this is long - I didn't know sites like this existed. I have already accidently posted this on the traumatic board - so I hope this is a more appropriate place

I know I have a right side brachial plexus injury from birth. I am told that my arm was paralysed for about 12 months but that I could use my hand. I am left handed as a result. I have never had any substantive treatment or physiotherapy. I have limited rotational movement, my elbow sticks out if I carry anything and I cannot even begin to turn my hand flat. I have been told that I am about 30% down on my right side (whatever that means) I had always assumed that my condition was a) static and b) there was nothing that could be done about it. However, in the last year or so (I am 29) I have felt myself to be much more awkward, I often find myself supporting or carrying my arm and I suffer from frequent numbness in two of my fingers - my little one and my ring finger and pain in my shoulder.

So my questions are - is it possible that my current problems are linked to my original injury and if so is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks

I am in England by the way.

Hi Stargazer- I repled to you on the other board- but in case you didn't see it
I am Karen and I am the Chair of the Uk Erb's Palsy group - if you want to e mail me at; info@erbspalsygroup.com
then I will be happy to try and help you
looking forward to hearing from you
Karen

Hi Stargazer

Welcome to the OBPI/adult board. I see Karen H has responded to you already and she will be a big help.

The more you read this board and other adults experiences the more you will understand the extent of your injury.
It is not just our arms that are injured.
Once we are out of balance we suffer from other injuries called secondary injuries and also overuse of our unaffected arm.
You are so young that perhaps with good medical advice and PT advice you can possibly avoid some of the mistakes those of us who are much older made.

Glad to see you here and if you have and questions feel free to ask or e-mail me KathM@ubpn.org

I am sure Karen can direct you to a physician who will help you in England.

Kath
adult/robpi

Hi Stargazer and welcome to the boards. I tend to be one of the lurkers now days, but still put my two cents in occasionally.

I wasn't going to respond as I don't have the answers, but then I thought, who does? About 10 years back, I too started with the numbness in the pincky and ring finger. The doc I had back then sent me to the neuroligist and then had an EMG. No new damage, only that of an old brachial plexology. Along with my two fingers, my whole hand started going to sleep. No answers. I let it go. Kind of went away for the most part until about 3 months ago. New doc sent me off for another emg. Now I have carple tunnel, but the new neurologist tells me that with carple tunnel only the thumb and index finger tingles and feels numb. Sooo, I figure it's one of those "erbs things" and have let it go again. I also think that was the problem 10 years ag but then they were just checking for new plexology on an emergency basis. Oh yea, the doc also put me thru a bunch of heart stuff, ekg, echo, etc, guess he must have thought I was going to have a heart attack.
I told him, unless my arm hurts more than it already does, I won't be able to tell if I'm having an attack. Also told him not to worry, my heart is fine. (If docs can't help what you go in for, they always have to look for something else to treat. Guess that makes them feel more useful)

My back, esp lower back, hurts all the time and is getting worse. Turns out I have osteoporsis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and so on. To shorten up this reply, a couple years back, my thigh on the non erb side decided to get numb and tingly whenever I was on my feet too long. And about the time the fingers started doing their thing again, my toes on the erbs side are going numb, but not all the time. (Never have told the doc about this as he will want some kind of test done) I figure its some kind of pressure from the back cutting off circulation. I'm 58 and right erbs, and am at a point where I really don't want any more tests. I only want an educated guess.

The doc I have now tells me that "bone pain" is the worst kind of pain. And osteo only gets worse. Whoopy LOL

Like I said, no answers, but I do hear you.
Again, welcome to the boards. Sharon