United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone,
I'm Dawn, mom to Cassidy 12 months ROBPI. Cassidy had her primary on February 15. I was just curious about the ages that your children walked...was it late? Cassidy has recently started scooting on her bum, she gets around pretty well but I can't see her walking anytime soon. Any of you whose children had Primary, did they wait to walk until they gained some use? or did this injury not slow them down? Tanks for the info!
Dawn

Maia stood up by herself for the first time at 19 months (the eve of her 2nd surgery) and walked at 22 months. It took a great deal of PT to get her going.

Hi! Olivia didnt walk until 17 months- she also did the "tripod"- I believe this is the scooting on the bum you are talking about. Olivia has not had primary surgery. I believe this injury throws off their balance making it harder to stand- let alone walk or run.

I know how hard this injury can be- as the parent of a baby you anxiously await every milestone. Look on the bright side- you get to keep your baby a baby longer! Hope this helps.

Veronica
mom of Olivia, 3, Bi-OBPI

I'm curious what kind of PT you did exactly to help your child with this issue?
Dawn

They taught her strategies to up and off the floor and to get back down on the floor. And stepping inbetween. We were in therapy then almost every day. And once she got up and walking she fell so much and it was evident that she had foot drop and a pronated foot - we had to do orthotics (shoe inserts) for quite a long time until she got steady. There were all sorts of exercises. It was an intense time with a great therapist. She also had to learn curbs and steps. Steps took years. Jumping & skipping took years.

Our best PT came to our home to teach Maia how to navigate the REAL things in life like a full set of stairs. (you don't find that in a therapy gym) and the outside stairs and curbs. They went down to the playground and she learned how to climb up things.... it was great for Maia.

My advice is to get a really good PT who really loves kids and knows her stuff.

Amber walked right on schedule. She only crawled for about 2 weeks though, then all of a sudden found her feet and took off running!

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 4 years old

Joshua didn't walk until right after his shoulder surgery (he didn't have primary) which allowed his left arm to be in a "normal", protective position. He's always been a very conservative, careful child and I kept telling his therapist/doctors that he wasn't walking because his arm didn't work well enough to catch him if he fell. He proved me right... as soon as he could externally rotate enough to get both hands out in front of him, he was off and running!

I think it all depends on your child. A daring, adventurous child won't care if one arm doesn't work! But a cautious, careful child might be greatly affected and need to wait for more recovery before feeling safe enough to try walking.

Kate

Brandon didn't walk till he was 16 months old, after mod quad with his "SOL" splint on.

My theory was that he didn't walk because his brother and sisters and mom and dad spoiled him and would pick him up all the time. This is my theory because, with his splint on, he was too heavy and awkward for the kids to pick up. He stood up in the middle of the floor and started to walk. (ACTUALLY he RAN) scared mom to death, but sure saved my back.

Brandon never crawled correctly....he always scooted on his bottom, but he could do so rather quickly !!!!! GAYLE mom of BRANDON 8 1/2 ROBPI

Thank you all for your feedback, I really appreciate it!
Dawn

My son walked at 13 months, but he didn't have primary. My daughter w/o any injury, on the other hand , never crawled, scooted on her bottom until she was 16 months old, and even still wasn't that worried about walking all the time. Best wishes to you ! ~ april