Hi, New member here.

[Rob-1]

Hi everyone. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. My name is Rob. I'm 25, had a nice job, nice bike and nice life until my accident on July 8th of 2006. The initial report on my arm is that I avulsed c6 and c7(probable stretch damage too). That rendered my arm useless. I cannot move my arm out from my side, swing it forward or back. The biceps and tri's don't work. I can make a weak fist but only extend my fingers slightly. I can also shrug my shoulders and flex my pecks as well as turn my thumb down but not up. My hand will flex in but not out.

I just want to share my story and talk with others in similar situations as myself so we can help each other through this. In Oct I'm scheduled for nerve grafts at the University of Penn with Dr Eric Zager. I'm hoping he can help me rebuild not only my arm but my life and spirit too. Thanks for listening. I'll be sure to post more as my recovery develops. I know how important it is to share as much info as possible for others read and gather hope from just as I have done.

Those who have had similar nerve surgery's please let me know much progress you have had. It is even better if you saw Dr Zager as I am.

[diargasm]

Hi Rob, my name is Andre and I had my accident back in Septemeber 2003. I had very close (if not the exact) injuries as you had too. When my accident happened I had my pecks, I could flex my wrist and fingers, and shrug my shoulders as well. I had about five surgeries ever since. The results have been relatively good for me. I had my surgery with Dr. Edgerton and Dr. Kazmiroff in the West LA Kaiser Permanente. The results of my surgeries have been the ability to raise my shoulder, although not all the way and not with the normal ease as I had before. They also gave me the ability to lift my fingers up, which also subsequently allows me to extend my wrist. My first surgery was for my biceps which worked very well. I had a muscle realignment which allows me to move my arm away from my body, albeit not with a lot of ease.

Do you have your triceps working? I initially didn't have it working, but it came back in its own a year later, again, not to full strength.

All in all I am very content with everything in regards to my surgeries. If you have more questions or just want to ask me anything, you can email me @ andrediar@gmail.com

[Rob-1]

Hi Andre. Thanks for posting. No sadly i don't have triceps yet. perhaps in time they will come along. How was your pain after your accident? Today i have mine under relative control. i take 1500 mg of neurotin a day and take perk 5/325s when i need sleep which is when the phantom pain gets me the worst.

[Rob-1]

P.S. Its good to hear that your recovery went well for you, hopefully you will gain more strength and muscle ability everyday. God Bless.

[dbate2you]

Hi Rob

This is Steve's mom, Diane. I just spoke with Steve and he said to call him. He would glad to speak with you. Hope your surgery goes well. Steve has a follow up appointment with Zager next week. Take care.

Diane

[jpixstix]

hi rob. my accident was on feb.12 06 iwas struck by a snowmobile while riding my atv. my results from testing showed no avulsions but very bad damage to all nerves. i have a totally flail arm with no movement anywhere. i had nerve graft surgery with dr.zager on may 19 06.he did 4 grafts on the posterior and lateral cords. he took the sural nerve from my right leg.he told me not to expect anything for 6-9 mos. more likely 1 yr. i have noticed recently some pectoral muscle twitching and i can now contract that muscle voluntarily. i'm going back to see zager in november for follow up emg. i will keep you posted. all in all i liked dr.zager he wont sugarcoat anything he will be honest with you.he is very knowledgeable on this injury. so i think you will be in good hands.good luck i posted my numbers to steve, since were all close we should get together if your up to it. feel free to call me also.
jim trbpi

[Rob-1]

Hi and thanks for the input everyone. It's feels good to know we aren't alone in this. I'm glad that your muscles are showing signs of life JPixstix and I'm sure they will get much better. I think I will give Steve a call Diane, thanks for keeping yourself updated here. It makes me very happy that we share so many similarities, namely the doctor who we can compair results to. I live in the northeast philly area so perhaps a day of hanging out to become acuainted would be nice. I'm not sure about you guys but since my accident my schedule freed up dramaticly, ie no work hahahaha. Ok well I'll see you guys around!!! Happy weekend everyone!

[diargasm]

Hey Rob,

I never had any pain after the accident or after any of my surgeries. I guess I was fortunate in that respect.

[kellyma1973]

Hey Rob, I'm new to this site too. I'm looking for others who have traumatic injuries, who can give advice on defeating the pain, and hopefully I can help some people based on my longer term experience dealing with the injury.

I had an extremely bad car accident in 1991 when I was 18 (I'm now 33), c5, c6 avulsion on the left side. I spent six months with crappy doctors in FL who wanted to amputate, and then after saying no, wanted to fuse my elbow. Obviolusly, 15 years ago a lot of people didn't know exactly what to do.

I saw neurologists and a plastic surgeon named Dr David Chiu at NY Presbyterian in NYC starting in July '92 until '99. Had two nerve grafts which back then were still considered experimental, the first took, I now have total use of bicep, and some delt/ pec action, but not much.

It took about 9 mos to a year to catch, and I remember the first bicep flickers came when I would sneeze. It's a great feeling after not having it for so long... The second was in 1996 to the radial nerve for wrist action. it never took. I basically have no use of my hand, but my bicep is really strong and I use it all of the time.

Sounds like other folks on here will be better equipped to help you deal with the medical side of the injury. A lot has changed since 1991, and while I'm very happy with the improvements I saw, you will certainly have more effective treatment today.

From a life-altering perspective, I might have some perspective. Your life will change, but you are still in control of it. I went from an invincible 18 year old to a total flail arm in a split second. That has huge impact on your confidence and psyche.

My advice as an "old timer" (as it were) is to keep your relationships with your friends and family alive. They are the most critical component of your psychological recovery. Talk, visit, have a beer (but not for a yr after your surgery ), and they will treat you like you treat yourself. If you act like an invalid and feel sorry for yourself, they will feel sorry for you too. That's not what you want, because that doesn't build a strong relationship. If you act like yourself, and acknowledge that you had an accident--but don't dwell on it--they will treat you with respect, as an equal, and with some admiration.

You can't hide what happened, so best that you own it, and don't let it own you. Those people are what will ensure that you get through this and return to life as you knew it.

Another thing, do as many of the things you used to as soon as you're able. You can still go to the gym. You can even go to a trainer that can help you out. I played soccer for a while and just had to tie it down with an elastic contraption. I still play tennis and can serve one handed. I play golf better than I did with 2 hands (which isn't saying much). I tie my own tie and my own shoes. I guess what I'm saying is that necessity is truly the mother of invention. If you really want to (or have to) do something, you'll figure out a way to do it. One time I had a blowout on the interstate, by myself. I had to figure out how to change the tire with one hand. Not fun, but now I know I can do it.

It will take time to master the little things, but you will. The bike though, hmmm not so sure about that one.

Anyway, what happened to you sucks. It's really unfortunate, and I honestly hope you regain full use of your entire arm. But keep in mind, it's not the end of the world. You're still the same person that you were before the accident.

Today, I realize that while that accident changed many things for the worse, it made me a much stronger person and a better friend and family member. Feeling lucky to be alive provides an interesting perspective and impacts the way you manage your own life. Since my car accident, I've gotten my degree, a masdters degree, worked for the CDC and one of the best healthcare companies in the US. I have a lot of responsibility, and I deliver. No one has ever asked me "if I'm able to do this or that" or anything like that. If I need to get something done, I'll get it done.

I live a great life. I still can pick up anyone in a bar, or talk to anyone at a party. I have a sex life (which I was really worried about initially). I have great friends, supportive family, and a whole lot of fun.

I live in Washington DC, which isn't far from Philly. If you ever want to chat, I'm happy to, by phone or in person. I also wrote about my pain experience on the once called "pain," but i haven't solved that problem yet.

Take care and keep your chin up. Your procedures will be effective, and i know it sounds really cheesy, but you have to rely on the power of positive thinking.

Take care bud.
Mack

[kellyma1973]

Oh, I also know a whole lot about hospitals if you need advice on dealing with staff or anything...