United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Dustin's accident was 11/2/05. When we went to Mayo 6 weeks ago they thought most of it would come back with time and little if any surgery would be needed. He is gaining strength in his arm. Seems all the muscles are firing now. He still cannot move against gravity. We are scheduled to back to Mayo 5/2, next week. We are using his e-stim and lots of excersize. I am wondering if anyone has any idea how to get it up against the gravity. He can move 2 pound weights in several positions now. The OT thinks some of the problem is that his brain is not sending the messages to the right muscles (TBI). Mirroring seems to help with this. That is moving his good arm as he would like the affected arm to move, then he has better luck. Bicept seems the weakest and that gives him trouble with elbow flection. We are also working on not using the shoulder to help with the movements.
Sue

Just to help with movement strength, you might want to consider having him work in a swimming pool.

Ellen

I am sorry but what was Dustin's injury, did he avulse any of his nerves?

Not avulsed at the spine. They were partially torn further out on the root. C5,6, &7. He has all hand movement. Some tricept. The bicept seems the worst, extremely weak.
Sue