United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I want to share with you all an update on my husband Duane. To refresh, Duane had surgery on his lumbar spine (fusion) on July 13, 2010. When he awoke from a 11 hour surgery, he could not move his right arm. Unfortunately, nothing was done until I finally pushed the issue and someone went, "he can't move his arm" (I guess because we don't have medical degrees we couldn't figure out he couldn't move his arm). About a month went by before any serious therapy was done for his arm. He has had OT for about two months, with better ROM of his shoulder, but still none in his elbow, wrist, or hand. He had a CT of his brachial plexus that showed no injury (interesting) but an EMG study performed this week showed on activity in his upper arm, and lower arm, hand and wrist. I have called the Mayo Clinic for advise and a possible appointment. We live in Las Vegas, so this would be quite an undertaking for us, but if he can get increased function, it would be worth every penny we have. The neurogist we saw yesterday gives him a year, and whatever function he has then, will be. Not very reassuring.

I was terribly upset...Duane has pretty much taken it as a given. I guess that we will live on what is left of our savings and hopefully find a lawyer. Someone has to pay for this....and it looks like pay for the rest of our lives. I guess it has not yet sunk in that he is a disabled individual (through no fault of his own). I still can't get it.....

Sorry to hear about your husband....If it is any consolation, this injury happens very often during surgery....many time surgeons just "plop" the patient on the operating table without making them "comfortable", by then the patient is asleep and does not feel the uncomfortableness...many times the blankets are crumbled under the person and it causes poor circulation and part of the arm/hand/shoulder go numb and the person is injured for life....I just spoke with a girlfriend in Massachusettes that had the same thing happen to her while undergoing shoulder surgery...do your therapy faithfully daily and hope for the best.....Peace....Louise

Try not to be too discouraged. Your husband is still early in the healing process. I think it is a very wise move for you to pursue the Mayo Clinic. I went to see them about 4 1/2 months after my injury. I had very little return at that time. They did extensive testing and found everything was still attached. They decided against surgery and within a few months I was seeing small amounts of improvement every month. I am now about 26 months post accident and I am basically 100% back to normal. Other than some serious atrophy that is taking a while to build back, I am pretty much 100%. Like the person before said, stick with therapy and keep on staying positive. I also cut out all refined sugar, took any supplements I felt might help, and did anything I could to help my body heal. If you would like I could look at some of my notes and find out what supplements I was taking. Good luck and hang in there. JJ

Just a reminder that want to try to see a bpi specialist within the first 5-6 months of the injury as that's when you will get the best results if you decide to go the surgical route (and as stated by others, surgery isn't always the best option). It doesn't have to be at the mayo clinic though they are fabulous doctors) but is should be a doctor who specializes in BPI's. Good luck and stay tough

Ang

Thank you everyone for responding to my post. We are getting through every day. Duane has therapy three times a week (both OT and PT because he is also still recovering from his lumbar fusion). It helps that people like you kind people respond and keep hopes up and alive for us just starting out on this journey. :0)

Hi i will be praying for your husban and you family, keep the faith. Philip