United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a daughter Laura who is now 10 and has BPI of her right arm. We are very lucky as she has 90 % use of her arm .
Although at present she cannot straighten it although we still do physio3 times a week it will not go past 155 degrees. Can anyone give me some ideas on how to help her get it a little straighter? In Australia the research is not as advanced in this area as America. Has anyone tried botox to help release muscle tension?.Thanks for any support Mel

is there anywhere we can see photos or video?

i am having some success with this device (the first photo on the site)

http://www.ottobockus.com/ORDERING/PROD ... motion.asp

good luck!

Hi Andy - kids have to be careful about the type of splints/braces they use. Many of the children have sholders that are subluxated and the weight of the brace might be to their detriment. It's best that they go to their specialist or therapist to find out where the problem is coming from first and addressing the cause.

oh, i'm well aware. i assumed, if going to physical therapy 3 days a week, any decisions would be made in conjunction with the specialists in already their life. i guess i should not have assumed that. you make a valid point and i'll be sure to mention caveats when sharing any of my own personal experience in the future.

Thanks everyone for your assistance !
The more I read the more I am disgusted with the information and help that is available to others we have really been left in the dark.
When Laura was born, after i year we were told that she is the best our specialist had seen and no other help was offered except the yearly visits and the continuous physio.
Now as Laura is more aware of her injury and it is embarassing her I have started to re-research it .I am astounded on how much more work has been done and more options are open to us.
We came to America in search of help when lau was 1, again our specialist told us that Oz was just as good at helping these children as America was so we didn't follow it up.
I have been reading all the articles with hope and enthusiasm so thanks for any help you can offer us and if anyone in Oz is reading this I would appreciate any specialists names in Sydney or Melbourne.
Laura does not see herself as having a problem and that is how we have raised her she is avery bright young girl who has never let her problem beat her even though bullying and mean children have had their go at her.
We have lived with the motto use it or lose it
Thanks for all your help. Mel
ps Laura wears a splint at night but it is just a plastic moulded one .