United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

we just got back from TCH about Jades back and shoulder. they said she may have thorasic nerve damage from birth or some rough play. what does this mean. what should i expect? any info would be great.

Crystal,
I am sorry to hear about your daughters diagnosis. Have they done any testing to confirm injury to the long thoracic nerve? If you read my earlier posts, you will see that this is the condition I live with.
The nerves originating from C5,C6,C7 have branches which supply the long thoracic nerve. This nerve supplies impulses to the serratus muscles which work to rotate the scapula and allow you to raise your arm over your head. It is similar to other brachial plexus nerves in that if it is stretched but not avulsed or cut, it may heal with time. Injury to this nerve affects the shoulder and range of motion in the arm, but not the elbow or hand. You need to get an accurate diagnosis from a neurologist and/or neurosurgeon ASAP because time is of the essence with any nerve injury. I wish you all the best with your daughter's recovery.
Nan

Crystal - I'm not sure what that means to have this. What is the next step you guys have to do? Can you explain it more to us?
I'm sorry that something else is now an urgent issue,
francine

well the next step is to do an emg. they where going to do it yesterday but dr nelson wasn't there. Dr. shanaq said to wait a few month to see if it gets better?he said there really isn't much they can do for her right now. comeing back to houston would be best. we were not prepered to spend the night. then after the emg we will see. im just wondering if it happend at birth. if it happend during play or something it was probaby 2 uncles that play VERY hard. i just hope it wasn't it.

Crystal, I was wondering what was happening with your daughters back and shoulder that led you to take her to TCH to have it checked. Has she been in pain? Just wondering what to look for... Thanks

a dramatic change in the shoulder winging. like within 1 day Jade went from sametrical to winging very badly. so for us its was becouse it happend so fast. TCH said its hard to detect becouse bpi's have bad shoulders anyway. im pretty sure it happend in play. beouse we are just now seeing it. he said it was easier to injure beouse the museales don't keep the back protected