United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Two and a half years ago, my 19 year old son Darren had a motorbike accident that left him with a right brachial plexus injury giving him complete poralasys of the right arm from the shoulder down (and Horners Syndrome). We were told that nothing could be done, but after 18 months of chasing we got to see a specialist in Leeds, who told us that if he had seen Darren early enough, something probably could have been done. This had realy been our last hope, and to Darrens credit he has got on with his life. He plays golf very well, and is an extremely good pool player. In the last few weeks it became apparent that he was starting to be able to flex his bicep (or what is left of it), giving some elbow flex. The amount of flex does seem to have increased over the few weeks.

I just wondered whether this return is common, and whether it might indicate the possibility of further progress ?

Paul

Hi ,
I guess you got to see mr Simon Kay at jimmys,Hes one of the top gues in the world at nerve reconstruction, but as he says you need to see him within weeks if not days of the accident, the return of some bicep is very common in people even if no surgery has been done,but the results are often weak and usualy no other muscle function is regained,

sorry to here of Darrens accident mine too was motorbike as was many others, what part of UK are you from?

karl

Hi Paul

I am really happy to hear that your son has regained some feeling and movement; did he have any surgery? I have heard of people with a TBPI regaining function without it, but not so soon after the injury as this...it is very encouraging news.

I am saddened to hear that it took so long for you both to find the proper treatment; we have an adult TBPI group here in the U.K and I have emailed you about it...we may be able to help;

Best wishes

Liz B

Hi again Paul, I remember you posting here when your son was not long injured.
My bicep came back by itself, probably about 2 years after my accident but its carried on getting stronger since, for many years. It isn't much functional use but it's something. I had no surgery.
Glad to hear you got to Leeds in the end, and hope our tbpi group can be of help to you and Darren. How is he coping generally? Any probs just ask........nice to see you again. Jen nz

Karl,

We live in Worcester, and I have to say that we're not too impressed with the local medical knowledge of BPI !

Paul

Jen,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Luckily Darren seems to have come to terms with the BPI very well. He manages to do most things that he could do before the accident......except those that he doesn't want to..... like washing up and working etc !!! Doesn't seem to stop him doing the spots that he wants though

Paul

i too have slowly regained some bicept flexion. as well as a little front and rear deltiod. my bike accident occured may 21/99. my bicept started as a tiny flicker on the front of my arm, and now to date i can pull it up to 90 degrees against gravity. with my shoulder i am able to get my arm "swinging" forward and back.
so all i can say is that over time some recovery may be evident. i'm just hoping that 1 day i may get enough to control a prosthesis.
good luck
Denny, Vancouver.

Hi Paul, glad your son is doing well. My bicep returned very gradually similar to how his sounds. The thing about recovery is, if the muscles survive waiting any re-innervation, larger muscles last a lot longer than the finer ones. hope it keeps getting stronger, good luck!

davem
you had surgery didn't you? back to riding if i remember the posts dave

Sorry for slow reply not been on the net much lately ~ yep i had surgery but that was reconstructive (rotator cuff repair) not nerve surgery, that was ruled out because of other complications. Back riding again im afraid, not at the minute you understand im sat on a chair! :O)