United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter is approx. 4 1/2 months post primary surgery (TCH). We are still waiting for new movement. I was wondering if anyone ever had to have an MRI done on their child after the first surgery to determine whether the nerve grafts worked. Also, I was wondering if anyone's child had to have scar tissue removed after the first surgery. If so, how did they determined that it was necessary? My daughter had a severe injury (avulsion of C7, partial avulsion of C6, rupture of C5, and stretch of C8) and she had two very large neuromas that had to be removed. I know that the original injury was caused by excessive traction, but if her body formed significant scar tissue to heal itself wouldn't it form scar tissue after the nerve surgery? Also, her neck incision does not look good. It is a hypertrophic scar meaning too much tissue was sent to the area to heal itself. That is why I am worried that her body goes into overdrive to heal itself.

Hi again Julie... Maia had an EMG at TCH 5 months after her primary to see if she got any biceps connection or not...she did but it was very little...but still enough to not have another go at a 2nd primary. I'm not sure I understand how an MRI would 'see' the connection working?

About the development of scar tissue. I would get a couple of opinions about this from bpi specialists. I wondered about this myself.

let us know what you find out ok?
-francine

I asked Josh's surgeon the same question about scar tissue building up again after nerve graft surgery. He said that the original scar tissue (neuroma) was a result of the trauma from the nerves being stretched and the nerve fibers breaking, along with new nerve fibers trying to grow back through the scar tissue.
When the nerve grafts are surgically placed in, you don't have the scar tissue from the trauma at birth. Yes there will still be some scar tissue from the stitches needed to hold the grafts in place, but it will be significantly less than what happened at birth. So the nerve fibers should have a mostly clear "pipe" through which to regrow. I hope this makes some sense-- it's not the best explanation.

Francine,

My mistake, I meant EMG and not MRI. At times there are so many medical terms floating around in my head that what I mean is not what comes out of my mouth!