United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone,

I saw my doctor and another orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in microsurgery on Wednesday. My bone scan was negative for RSD, but my x-rays show the humeral head is sitting forward in the socket due to severe atrophy of my deltoid. EMG shows no change from January. They recommended surgery where they will remove any scar tissue from the nerves and get a better look at all surrounding structures (my BPI is due to surgical trauma from a total shoulder replacement I had last summer).

I am so terrified of another surgery. I was hoping it would be arthroscopic but they said they would go in through the scar I have from the replacement (approx 6 inches in length) and most likely extend it further. I am so stressed.

Has anyone had a similiar surgery? How long were you in the hospital? Out of work? How was the pain?

I would really appreciate any advice/input!

MB

This sounds like the surgery Dustin had. They removed the scar tissue. Had him ready for a nerve transplant, but as they were not avulsed all they did was remove the scar tissue. He was in the hospital over night. Left the next morning. Very little pain. Didn't need any meds after leaving the hospital. As I recall they used a wide tape to close the incision, then he couldn't go to water therapy for 4 weeks.

He also had the forward subluxing happening. I can send a link to a sling he wore to pull the arm back into socket. It has adjustable straps that let you manuver it where you need...ie up, back, forward. It can be worn under clothing.

Good luck with the surgery.

Sue

Thanks, Sue!

My surgery is scheduled for July 30th. I am still very apprehensive...I keep thinking about my surgery last summer and how I couldn't move my arm when I woke up. The doctors kept telling me it was from the nerve block I had pre-op, but 6 days later when I saw my surgeon for my first follow-up and I still couldn't move it, all hell broke loose.

I'm trying to be hopeful, but I need to get by terrified first.

MB

Here is a link to the sling Dustin wore for a while.
http://www.alimed.com/ProductDetail.asp ... id1=&oid2= With the velcore straps on there you can adjust it to pull your arm back into socket. Forward, up, back, whatever you need. He later gained enough shoulder to keep the arm in place so no longer needs it.
His surgery didn't seem so bad. He has a scar along the top front of the shoulder, about 6" I would say and another along the affected side bottom of the neck.
Sue