United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My 19 yr-old son was hit by a car 6 months ago. In the past 2 months, he developed tingling in his hand and arm (it is worse in his thumb and then radiates around his hand, and also affects the upper half of his arm). He also has limited movement in his arm. The doctor has determined that his brachial plexus is involved, but, says that it's "ome of two things". The method of treatment that he is pursuing at this point is to "Just wait and see". He is not definitive as to whether the accident is the cause of this problem. The day after the accident, I noticed that my sons left armpit was one big bruise. We assumed that this bruise was cause by the fact that he was wearing a bakpack at the time of the accident, and that backpack was basically ripped off his back!!!! (When I received the backpack from the police, I only got the front pocket back!!!! The main compartment and straps were destroyed!!!!)

Has anyone ever dealt with this type of problem before? Any input would be invaluable because all of this has been a "learn as we go" experience!!!!

I think it would be a very good idea to get your doctor to refer your son to a TBPI doctor/spcialist as soon as possible. There are many listed at this site. They can confirm brachial plexus damage. Good luck.... Dick

I would get to a BPI specialist ASAP!! The best time to treat these injuries is quickly passing for you. Wait and see will put you beyond the time frame they have for different options.
Sue

Thank you for your input!!!! The "doctor" that I referred to, is one of the leading specialists in our area. I was told that he specializes in BPI, but, I was unable to go to my son's appt. He is the one that suggested waiting for 2 months. Will this be detrimental? If necessary, I will insist on a sceond opinion.

Brenda

I have read on some of the posts that tingling is a good sign. Dustin doesn't have that so I can't tell you from experience. I am asuming you have had an MRI and EMG? These should help give an idea of the injury alhtough they are also inconclusive it seems with this injury. If the Dr he saw is a BPI specialist, that is a good thing. Though they seem to be few and most people end up traveling. We went to Mayo with Drs. Spinner, Shin and Bishop. They also had us wait for a period. Some of Dustin's muscles are gaining strength. However when we hit the 6 mo time frame they did go in for exploratory. After that time they felt they would lose the opportunity for nerve grafts. They would be able to do muscle grafts later. He still has extreme weakness. But we continue to go to OT and do lots of excercise and e-stim. Keep in mind that each one of the injuries is different and the recovery time is different with each also. Good Luck!! I know how you feel, Dustin is 18, his car was hit by 2 semi's.
Sue