United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter Aubree is just over three months old and is being seen by the group of doctors at the Brachial Plexus Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in MN (Dr. Bishop, Dr. Spinner and Dr. Shin). Just wondering if anyone else here has taken their child to these doctors and their results. Our first impression was very good. Each one of the doctors individually came in to examine Aubree and explained what they believed needed to be done. Aubree is scheduled for her first surgery on the 26th of June. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous. They believe that C5-C7 may be ruptured with the C8, T1 avulsed. She has developed quite a bit of movement at the shoulder, and has some tricep movement, but she still has no movement in her bicep, wrist or hand. Plus she has Horner's Syndrome. She's scheduled for an EMG and Myelogram on the 25th of June to get a better picture of this before surgery.

Has anybody else's child suffered the same type of injury? I know each child heals differently, but it's nice to have some sort of scenario in mind.

Also, anyone know the eventual outcome for Horner's syndrome?

Thanks!

WE LOVE BISHOP, SPINNER, and SHIN!!!!! Malik is doing really great after his primary surgery. The St. Mary's children's center is really great too for after care. Malik had his surgery Nov. 13 2007 and we go back to discuss our next one on July 10th. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions! I will be happy to let you know whatever you want to know!

Hi,
We also love Shin, Spinner and Bishop. Our daughter is almost four years old. C5-7 were ruptured with neuromas. C8 and T1 were avulsed (evident from her Horner's Syndrome). She had the exact testing done that your daughter is scheduled for. St. mary's hospital is where she had her surgery and everyone treated us very well. I have to send my praises for Ronald McDonald House as well, they were amazing!! Please e-mail me and I will give you all of the information you want. It seems as though their injuries are very similar. I can let you know about her progress and therapy and how her horner's is now. Take care and lots of prayers your way. mgfall03@yahoo.com

Michele

We did not see the doctors at the Mayo clinic but our daughter had the same injury, C5-C7 ruptured and C8 & T1 avulsed. She did not have any movement at all though prior to her primary surgery and she has Horner's syndrome.

We are now about 2 1/2 years post surgery. Lucy now has sensation down to her fingertips and can move them a little bit. She can use her arm for gross assist with the unaffected arm but sometimes I'm wondering if she just doesn't want to try (because she is a 3 year old!). We are still working on elbow flexion and supination as well.

As for the Horner's syndrome. We have seen the opthamologist 4 times. The doctor has said that she thinks Lucy's vision is fine but that she will still follow her (every 6 months) to make sure that the droopy eyelid does not cause her to develop an astigmatism. The doctor also said that as the child develops that the other muscles around the eye will begin to compensate for the one's that are affected by the injury. The droopiness is still there but not as noticeable as it once was. We usually don't even notice it unless she is really tired or we are standing behind her while looking in the mirror.

Carol, mom to Lucy (almost 3!), LOBPI

Our daughter's Horner's has improved over the last three years but when we look in the mirror it is also more noticeable. Her vision is fine in her Horner's eye and I was scared to death when she was born that her eyelid would remain the same but it has improved!!!
Michele