United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son needs a mod quad surgery for his arm and I was told he has to wear a statue of liberty splint for a couple of weeks. But my son is an active 10 month old and i'm not sure what to do if he wants to move around or even roll over in his sleep.
Does anyone have any experience with this and possibly give me some advice on how to manage him both with the splint on and also after it comes off?
I 'd just like to be prepared for everything.
Thank you.

My son was 14 /12 months old. At the time he was the youngest ever to have mod quad. My son too was active however was not yet walking. He was in his SOL splint for 6 weeks 24/7 and 6 weeks at bedtime only. The doctor told me that my son would not be able to walk in the SOL because it would throw his balance off since he wasn't already walking. My son got tired of no one being able to pick him up (My older three kids) so he got up in the middle of the floor and started to RUN !!!! Wow, I was surprised. As far as at night. He pretty much rolled and tossed around as usual. I mad sure the there were things around his crib so his splint did not get caught in the railing. After the first night, he was back to his old self and ready to go. The nurses on the floor gave him the nickname wild child because he broke his temporary cast falling in his crib at the hospital. After the splint came off, life was certainly back to normal. It was so much fun watching him touch the back of his head and his nose, things he could never do before. He could even feed himself a popsicle with the effected arm......and he loved to show that new trick to everyone that gave to visit. He ate alot of popsicles the first few weeks......but hey, it's therapy....right !!! The mod quad was the best thing that ever happened to my son. The improvements he has made is just incredible. He is now 7 1/2 and the doctor just told us after seeing him that he has 90-95% function. Truly an incredible surgeon, in my opinion. My son had nothing when he had mod !!! Let your son be a baby. The permanent splint is indestructable. He fell so many times, trying to run with it on......trying to jump out of his crib. The phone calls I made to the doctors office was incredible, I think I had a hot line to his office. Feel free to post is you have any other questions !!!! Gayle mom of Brandon 7 1/2 ROBPI

I remember being truly terrified of the splint and the concept but when my child was finally in the splint, it was really fine. The kids adjust so fast it seems. And wearing it only for a couple of weeks? Wow, we were in ours for 8 weeks! This is a blessing!

Our daughter had the mod quad with Dr. Nath last May when she was 9 months old. She was walking. He only wanted her to wear the splint at night, so during the day was no problem. She, believe it or not, slept ok for the month or so that she had to wear it. The first night was kinda hard, but she did great. What a huge difference that surgery made for her. She can put her hand behind her head and lift it all the way up. Dr. Nath is a saint. He is so wonderful to work with, too. Hope this helps.

Andrea, jake and Maddy (LOBPI, 18 months)

Andrea,

Do you know exactly what was done with the MQ on Maddy? Were the tendons transferred or just released? I'm so surprised she didn't even have to wear a splint during the day!

Kate

My daughter just had the mod quad...a full mod quad and she only wore her splint for four days...we were shocked that she could have it off so quickly after preparing for 4-6 weeks!

Jill