United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi all,

My name is Mica and my precious daughter, Aria, suffered a bilateral brachial plexus injury nearly 7 months ago during a VERY traumatic birth. Her left arm has recovered extremely well (still lacking direct overhead movement and external rotation), but her right arm was much more severaly damaged. We had primary surgery with Dr. Kozin on January 25th - extensive grafting to C5 and distal C6, and transfers of C6 into C5 (C6 was avulsed), and suprascapular into spinal accessory.

My question is: is there any way for me to help Aria avoid physical pain in the future? My husband and I are extremely diligent about her PROM exercises, and will make sure she gets lots of therapy (disguised as play) as she gets older. She has PT once a week and OT once a week with the most incredible therapists (she thinks they are just playing with her the whole time.)

I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to not only help her reach her full recovery and avoid future physical pain, but also to make sure she is enjoying her childhood. I have gotten some wonderful advice about helping her deal with the emotional pain which comes with this injury, but I would truly appreciate any advice on helping her avoid the physical pain that seems to plague many OBPI victims.

Thank you!!!

Mica

I know this is going to be hard but I would suggest helping her to not compensate as much as possible. Compensating is how we get things done but atleast for me, thats what came back to bite me. Because of my compensation pattern my uppre traps are very developed and get so many knots in them from the ways that I compensate and the tightness of the muscle is the main source of my pain.
Good luck!!!
Many hugs to you and little Aria!
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Amy,

I saw your website its really cool, Iam going to try and send you pictures of my injury. What was the surgery for?

Thank you Cristina!
I would love pictures! The picture of the surgery were my last surgery which was to improve my hand function. It was a revised zancolli procedure. Basically it tightened up the mp joint (knuckle). My fingers hyperextend at the mp joint making it impossible for me to extend my fingers all the way. Now I am able extend my fingers with out much trouble. My hand is still weak so the movements are slow but its much more functional!

Amy

When you say that you can extend your fingers, do you mean you can fully extend them by yourself or with the help of your other hand. I had pieces of my tendon put in each finger to make my fingers more flexible, but I can't open my hand (extend my fingers) on my own.

Hi Cristina,
I can extend my fingers fully by my self now!
Your muscles might just be weak, have you tried dynamic splints or e-stim?

Amy

I was born with Erb's Palsy in my left arm. I had OT and PT as a child. The doctors said that i would not be able to swim, type, drive, or life anything in my arm. I am happy to say I proved them wrong. I drive, swim and type (not real fast though), I can lift things but not very high or for long periods of time. For the most part I can do pretty much anything. I know all cases are different, and you child's seems worse than mine but this is what happened with me.

sue

I also met with road accident on last year. After my surgey i didn't have the confident in future, i may drive and play cricket. Because still i am having heavy pain.

After your reply i got confident to return back normal.

Thanks a lot

Ramesh