United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

i was wondering if any one knows about how the brachial plexus nerve heals. can or will it heal completely? if it does heal completely will there always be somewhat of a problem with it or if it heals it is healed? does any one know of someone who has this type of injury that healed and if so how much did it heal and did they still have stiffness, shrunken muscles, or weakness? i am still new at this and i have a feeling it will get better but not back to normal. i am 4 months into this and my fingers are getting extremely stiff and i still have no feeling in my arm. i do excercises constantly and still feeling like i am losing ground.

You need to have emg's done! If you need surgery it should be done asap. I'm 4 months post injury and have had 2 transfers done.

It really depends on the degree of damage that was done (if the nerves were stretched, ripped or completely torn out). You have to get an EMG and I strongly urge you to do that soon. You she see a Nuerologist (preferably one that speicilizes in BPI). There is a time limit when working with nerves and their ability to heal. God Bless!

has anyone ever heard of dr todd shanks in louisville, kentucky? he is a bpi specialist but i want to know at least a litle bit about him. i am going to see him and it is about a 2-hour drive. don't know when yet.

I live in Owensboro, KY 2 hrs from Louisville. My son, who is 3, was injuried at birth. I have never heard of a BPI doctor in Louisville. We have been to St. Louis and Cinncinatti. When he was injured we were told we had to go out of state. I would really research this doctor!

i am so angry at my doctor right now. when i woke up from surgery on may 18, my arm was very limp and extremely painfull. the doc told me he pulled the bp nerve and not to worry about it it would return in a couple of days maybe a month or so. now it is 4 months later and although there is a lot of improvement in my arm, i still have very little use of my hand. now he is telling me it will be at least a year before i get function back in my hand and my pinkie will always be numb. and also my arm and hand will continue to shrivel and will always be smaller than the right one. has this happened to any one else?