United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anybody had a nervew transplant surgery? If so, what was your results?Are you noticing any improvement any where within the hand, arm, & shoulder? What did your Dr. say about your recovery? Thanks

In November I had a free Gracillis muscle transfer, with a Steindler and ulnar nerve transfer. The surgeons at Mayo (Shin, Bishop & Spinner) said the surgery went very well. I did not suffer much pain, just discomfort from wearing the cast for 6 weeks. So far, so good. It will be some time before we know for sure if it will help me regain elbow flexion. I already had full function of my hand and wrist so that was not the issue, it was just the elbow flexion. They were not able to do anything to reapir my shoulder muscle so I will never be able to raise my arm above my head, but I can live with that. That may be in part to the fact that my accident that caused the injury was 19 years ago and most of the muscle was gone. I wish you luck and definitely recommend talking to the surgeons at Mayo Clinic.

Ray

My wife had nerve transplant surgery last summer. I posted on this site last Dec. 27th, it is on page 6 of this site. (Post Utah Surgery)
The surgery was done at the University of Utah. Nerves were harvested from both legs and bundled together (the procedure is called cable grafting of nerves) to transplant into her shoulder. The surgeon repaired two nerves at that time.
She has been going to a hand therapist since then, and has returned to work. My wife is a dental hygienist. She has regained shoulder movement, elbow movement, and some wrist movement. She can move her little finger and ring finger, but has very limited movement in the other fingers. She is right handed, and the injury was to her left shoulder.
When she was injured in a one-car roll over, her arm went out the window, and two nerves were severed, and two were avulsed. She, like everyone who has a BPI has been through the wringer physically and emotionally.
I would be happy to email you or visit with you on the phone. My wife can tell you all about what she has been through, also. E-mail us, and we would be happy to help. DW

My son had nerve transplant surgery at Mayo in Rochester MN - involving transferring the phrenic, contralateral C7, and intercostals. He has a partially collapsed left lung from the phrenic transfer, which we knew would happen - but no ill effects from any of the donor sites. All target muscles in his arm have now been innervated and we're very pleased. John had full avulsion of all five nerves.

Take care & keep asking questions - it's a lot to learn about.

Ellen