United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello to all-
I haven't posted in a year, since my son Matthew had MQ surgery at TCH (April 2001).We were extremely pleased with the result of the surgery. However, I am interested in knowing if anyone knows anything about bicep lengthening surgery? Dr. Nath mentioned at the time of his surgery last year that his biceps were "tight" and that he probably would need the bicep lengthening procedure. Matthew carries his arm bent at the elbow and up around his chest height. I think this is what he is referring to. Does anyone have experience with this surgery? Some questions I have are: What does the surgery do? Recovery time? What kind of splint-different from SOL? Difficulty post-op compared to Mod Quad? I would greatly appreciate any information. I can't believe we have to get back into surgery mode. I am very scared-for my son and for me. I fell into a bad depression after his last surgery and am just emerging from it and I do not want to go back there. Information helps! Thank you.

I think they cast for this surgery if it's done alone and not in combination with another procedure. But I'm sure many people will come forward with an answer for you.

I really wanted to answer this post because of what you said about depression and surgery mode. I'm sad that you had a major depression after the surgery but it offers me great support to hear that I'm not the only one. It takes me a long time to dig out after a surgery... especially this time because Maia didn't sleep for almost 10 weeks. Surgeries are hard and my heart goes out to you having to go through it again.

I wish you and Matthew the best,
big hugs,
francine

Francine,
Thank you for your words of support. It is good to know that we don't suffer alone. I felt really guilty expressing concern over myself since it is Mattthew who has to endure the real hardship. But I am trying to believe that I count as well in this debacle, and that if I fall to depression again I cannot do my best for my family. The truly sad part is that dealing with this injury affects the entire family. Sounds like you and Maia had such a hard time after her last surgery. I hope you are on the road to healing.Blessings to you!
Cathy

Blake had bicep lengthening and brachialli lengthening done with his caps surgery 8weeks ago(today first day out of the splint) so of course he had to have the whole contraption to support the shoulder. He has done very well and he says that his elbow does hurt and his shoulder does not hurt anymore. He is afraid to bend it and barely did today, but did GREAT for his first day. After Dr. Nath released the bicep, he still had a 15degree contracture so he then went down deeper into the brachialli and released it,too. It brings tears to my eyes to finally see that arm so straight and he is awfully proud of it too. He has a Z shaped incision on the inside of his elbow and he says it is really tender, the first day or so he was real embarassed by his scar but now he is proud of it since we told him how strong he is and what a big boy he is to have such a special surgery. He is 4yrs old. Good luck and I hope I shed a little light on this for you.

Crystal S.

Hello,
My son had bicept lengthening surgery last Nov. He is three and half. He had primary and MOD QUAD. Before the surgery, he carried his arm bent at the elbow and also waist high. He had about a 20-30 degree contracture. He did have alot more pain with this surgery than any other. This could also be because he was older. TCH did give him morphine to ease his pain, then we switched to tynelol with codine. By the next day, he was back to himself. The splint was a regular extension splint, arm straight down at the side. It is a much easier splint than the MOD QUAD. He had to wear the splint for 6 weeks night and day. There is no ROM at all during this time. After six weeks, he started therapy again. But, only light therapy as no weight bearing was allowed. He did light ROM for 8 weeks and now has just started the strenghening therapy. The first weeks after the splint comes off, it hurts to bend the arm. At therapy, they would do gentle bending. It took about a good month to return to normal bending and normal range of motion that he had prior to the surgery. As for the outcome, it is a great improvement. He has about a 5 degree but I think that is habit. He can now straighten his arm out when asked to before he could not do that. He has gained alot of motion by being able to extend. Appearance is much better too. If you want to email me, please feel free at Alisonbhatti@hotmail.com Best of luck.

Kelsey is 5 and had Bicep lengthening and Brachialis tendon lengthening last July. She wore a cast that went from mid-forearm to mid-upperarm. The surgery took about an hour, maybe a little longer. She was awake right after we walked in recovery, and eating by 2 or 3 hours later. We should have bought stock in trash bags prior to surgery! We covered her cast with a plastic bag for bath time, and an occasional run through the sprinkler. She wore the cast for 8 weeks. When it was time to come off, her therapist took off the cast and made an extension splint she wore 8 more weeks. (She still wears it every once in a while if she gets tight) The scar is "z" shaped, and kind of looks like something from Harry Potter. Not bad at all. It is already lightening up. This surgery was a "breeze" compared to the others Kelsey has had. No pain meds but one time right after she woke up in recovery.

The results are awesome. Kelsey was so proud to be able to hang her arm to her side. We were too!