United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi, I'm Rosaline and we are new to the message board (my son Jay and I). He had an ATV accident on April 27, 2008 and was diagnosed a week later with RBPI. He has some feeling in his arm, down to the elbow and a tingling sensation and/or a feeling of numbness in the forearm and hand. No MOVEMENT! We have been told by two doctors in Birmingham, AL that there is no hope of him regaining any function in the arm, but neverthless we are hopeful. We were also told that it could be scar tissue or a blood clot sitting on the nerves noone is really sure!! they just want us to wait. The EMG that we had on 5/15/08 gave us some hope because two of his fingers twitched as well as the thumb. Has anyone experienced any of the symptoms? He has very little pain maybe an ache in the shoulder radiating down the arm. What was your next step?

Rosaline

Rosaline,
You have come to the right place for a wealth of knowledge and experience with this injury. You don't say what type of drs have told you there is no hope. But there is always hope. The most important thing is to get your son to a BPI specialist. If you haven't seen one there are lists of them by clicking on the resources link at the top of this page. Waiting is sometimes the thing to do. But, first you should be seen by a BPI specialist as some of the surgeries that can be preformed to gain movement are on a "time is of the essence" nature. Those being nerve transfers. Usually they need to be done within the first 6 mos. Other surgeries, such as muscle transfers can be done later. I'm not suggesting that he will need these just that it is important to determine that. I am sure that you have been overwhelming youself by trying to read all these boards. First of all know that each injury is different. Even though the same nerves can be involved each injury and recovery follows it's own path. Nerves grow at approximately 1 inch per month, so healing can take a long time. Your son should also be seeing a physical or occupational therapist to help keep muscles from atrophying so quickly while the nerves hopefully can make some conections. E-stim may also be ordered for him once he has been seen. Getting him in water to try to move is very good as this will take out the gravity and make movements easier. As far as the numbness or tingling it can be caused by the damage or my son noticed some tingling as things seemed to be "waking up".
If it is scar tissue blocking impulses this can be removed. They never know 100% what the damage is unless they acutally go in and look.
Oh, and welcome to the club no one wants to join.
Best of luck, and remember this injury takes time, so although it may seem hopeless now keep trying. And ask anything at all, someone will probably have experienced it and can help.
Sue

Thank you Sue!!! Yes you are correct it is very overwhelming especially when noone in our area(Alabama) seems to know anything about this type of injury. The drs we have seen- Neuro and Orthapedic. We are scheduled to see an Orthapedic Surgeon on Thursday 06/05/08. This is not his specialty, but the Orthapedic dr we seen last week wants him to take a look at Jay anyway. I have received excellent help and great advice from Ellen Bramblett. Her son had his surgery @ 6 years ago. She has been a GOD sent and so is this message board. Jay did however have some PT and OT while he was in the hospital, but since his release we have been working at home. We are going to ask for a refferal to the Mayo clinic from this dr we are seeing on Thursday. You are right noone wants to join, but thank GOD that there are people out there willing to HELP! I will keep you informed with the next phase and maybe you or someone can help me and my family to keep our sanity!

Rosaline

Rosaline~~~
Getting in contact w/ Ellen was the best thing for you.
I am a LBPI.
I was 3rd person at Mayo to have a muscle transfer back 19 years ago. There was no "team" but I had a world known doctor who later became the CEO of Mayo Clinic; I feel truly blessed.
I can honestly say I have to be the most frequent visitor of the Mayo Clinic. I made 15 trips in the last 18 months alone. I believe the total of my visits have been over 50x. In other words, I can help you in anyway you need for advice or support.
I did PT 4x a week and used a tens unit to keep my muscles strong before I had my muscle transfer. Keep those muscles active!!!
I am old foggy to this injury but I know I can still help others.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Kath
Chicago
The surgeries I am having now are in experimental stages at Mayo; in plastic surgery department.