United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

So, what comes next? Should we be doing something else for our 20 year old son with a tbpi? His unaffected arm is so very strong but his left arm is completely flaccid. He has no sensation or movement, no fine motor, nothing. A car crash changed everything in 1997. He's been through the horrible, debilitating pain and come through a stronger person - he does everything. Tennis, soccer, swimming, running...this has never stopped him. But I'm afraid we should be doing something else so that he doesn't have more problems as he gets older. What about the unaffected arm? What about his left arm? He has biceps movement because of surgery but it's functional use and should he be looking into some new kind of surgery to help get something else back? Should his dad and I be doing something else for him or encourage him to look into new treatments?

Hi Teri Jo,

I am not an expert in the area of what is currently being done in the medical arena, there are others much more current than I am.

From what you mentioned, it looks like your son has the same movement as I do, bicep from surgery but nothing else. My accident was over twenty years ago, I had just turned 18, I injured my left arm also. I am writing to comment on my experience with my right arm.

To say it simply, so far my right arm has not bothered me at all. If you have read much of the other posts, you might know I have been very active athletically from the first month after my accident. I have played golf regularly, since the accident and have been pretty hard on my body from water skiing, snow skiing, volleyball, biking and a bunch of other sports that require lots of use from my right arm.

I also moved so many times for myself and a few friends right after college we thought about starting the "Three Arms Will Move You" moving company, I had and still have no problem with the lifting power, I just need help with balancing.

I know there is always a chance I could start having problems, but so can anyone else, my best from High School who has no "affected" arm, is having problems with one of his shoulders, so for me, I will cross that bridge when I get there, hopefully for me that will be many years away.

As far as my injured arm goes, I have kept it as loose and the joints as flexible as possible, helps with my golf and I have always thought it help keep the pain down, especially in the shoulder. I have broken it twice, once I shattered the ball that goes into the shoulder socket, all the Dr said was don't move the arm for a month, brilliant! The other break was the elbow, as a result my elbow doesn't straighten 100%, not a big deal. Both breaks were because I didn't strap my arm down when playing sports, just thought I would hop in a game of over-the-line.

As far as future medical advancements, I let my parents, mainly my Mom, "worry" about those, I wanted to do life, which I have done since and I couldn't be happier. I thought my life was great just as it was after the accident and didn't think having only one arm would stop me from doing all the things I wanted to do, which it hasn't.

Sounds like your Son has a very positive attitude and I am sure is doing very well.

That's about all from me, at least for now.

Dan

Teri Jo
Like Dan I am 20+ veteran off this injury. Just 5 years ago I went back to Mayo for pain management and the doctors were talking of doing several other surgeries for more movement. I chose not to do them because of personal reasons.
I have posted before on this sight that it is never too late to have other surgeries for more movement. When MY injury happened there were not many options and if surgery is one you wanted you needed to have right away. Even at Mayo Clinic 21 years ago there was very very little experience in BP area. Back then doctors would simply say "there is nothing we can offer you." And people went on with their arm, or without.
Medicine has come a very long way since the 80's. Take advantage of it while your son is young and recovery is quicker and much easier! Good Luck!
Kath
Chicago