shoulder joint separation?

[Anna]

Lexie (now 4-1/2 months) has had pretty good recovery, but has the most difficulty with shoulder flexion (bringing her arm up in front of her). Her X-ray at 1 day old showed "posible acromioclavicular (A/C) joint separation" however my ped said that he had never heard of that in a newborn and contacted the orthopedist who agreed and said it could be consistent with a fracture of the end of the clavicle. Well the PT saw that when she stabilized at the A/C joint, Lexie got more flexion, so we kinesiotaped the joint and that also seemed to bring improvement. Anyway I'm wondering if any of you have had this w/ your kids. I know it's mostly a question for the ortho, but any input would be appreciated. This is the ortho who, by the way, said there was no need for PT - that it would not help the nerves regenerate (what a lame remark!), and would not listen to any of my reasons for wanting PT (I am a ped OT, so I know what I'm talking about!). So I haven't yet cancelled our followup appt (supposed to be next wk), but I can't decide if I want to try another ortho or go give him another piece of my mind - he was pretty arrogant and biased and I don't think he'll listen anyway! Anyway, if any of you have head of this, I would appreciate hearing what your doctors told you! Thanx!

[francine]

Anna - where do you live? There are many picnics/gatherings on the horizon and this way you can get another opinion easily and also meet a lot of other people and kids in the process

picnic list so far (don't have the date to most yet) wil be in Ohio, NY, Baltimore, Melbourne FL, San Diego, North Carolina.... as soon as I have specific dates I will post to http://www.injurednewborn.com/gatherings.html

I don't know how to answer your question but the TCH docs will certainly be able to give you an opinion about it.

Have you see all the docs in awareness? (i.e. Margaret Storment's Therapy Protocols page?)
http://ubpn.org/awareness

hugs and kissies to Lexie!
wanna share a picture?

-francine
francine@injurednewborn.com

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html

[Anna]

Actually we are planning to go to the picnic in Melbourne, but I think it will be in August or September (they are trying to coincide w/ a shuttle launch date - Dr. Nath -I think that's right- wants to see one). I just wasn't sure if I wanted to wait that long! Our PT is Leslie - I know you've met her - and she feels Lexie has made good enough progress to not need the nerve graft surgery, but we'll have to see down the road about the Mod Quad. I think I'm going to try calling tomorrow to see how long it will take to get into the ped ortho in town.

[Anna]

oops, meant to ask - is there a place to post pics?

[francine]

no place to post in here but I put pictures up on my site http://www.injurednewborn.com

it's good that you have Leslie - I hear from others that she's a really good therapist - you're in good hands!

Also you can send a video and a letter with your questions to TCH so that you get some input about it now rather than later...
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/video.html

-francine