United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi!

I am new to all of this!

I had surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - a right cervical rib resection and during the surgery two nerves were cut. One was cut completely and another partially leading to my brachial plexus injury. This all just happened Dec 3rd. I had surgery on Dec 12th to repair the nerves...

Currently I cannot move my shoulder, or feel it, and have numbness in my thumb. My wrist and elbow are weak but I can move them. I am in a sling for 4 weeks and cannot move my shoulder for 4 weeks. Then I will start physical therapy to try to regain the movement in it.

I am scared though. I was told it would take 6 months to see improvement and 9-12 months for majority recovery. I am glad that my recovery looks positive, but I am a nursing student and have to put off my nursing clinicals and what not for now to make sure it all heals.

It is so strange to go from using my right hand (it is my dominant hand) to not be able to use it much. I can still type - although it hurts in my thumb after a short time... and I can write, but it looks like a little kid and is very slow.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and see if anyone had any advice throughout this journey I am embarking on!

Just wanted to wish you luck and as much recovery as possible!
I just graduated form nursing school last May. I am LOBPI, so was injured at birth, not new to it. I don't have active external rotation, nor do I have active flexion past 90-100 degrees (but have complete passively, so can put my arm there and use it as long as it is supported on something). So it is possible to do ALL clinical tasks even without full movement, *IF* your recovery is not complete. Harder with pain of course, and I don't mean to say you can do it regardless, not what I mean. Just trying to give you "more" hope that it can be done even with limitations. (and I have others that have nothing to do with the BPI...I am partially paralyzed from a spinal cord "injury" from 5 years ago).

Marieke 33, LOBPI RN
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.coom

Just follow through with every opportunity for therapy, an dont give up. You can get better with time and effort.