United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

So i would like to now know who out there, who has one functional arm (opposite of the TBPI arm) might be getting symptoms of overuse in there functional good arm.

Symptoms could include tingling, burning sensations, aching. fat feeling, loss of strength, lack of grip etc.. in their arm, hand, shoulder.

If you have symptoms like this please let me know and if you know of others with these symptoms please let me know.

Regards

Andrew

i overuse my "good" arm/hand. but i really dont have a good arm/hand. my "good" arm right now is my right. (i am right dominate) i had actually became left handed for about a year. i had thoracic outlet syndrome in both arms. (right being worse) the dr did the TOS surgery on my right first. it improved, but will never be normal. when he did the left one, i came out with a stretched brachial plexus. i recently had some nerve transpositions and a tendon transfer.

My original right TBPI was in 1979. I’ve worked full time all my life at a computer and resigned in May 2015 due to left hand overuse. I was approved for Social Security Disability in November 2015. I have pain in the left thumb base due to minor arthritis and overuse. I have great insurance from the original accident. They have continuously, to this day, paid for surgeries and physical therapy for the right arm, shoulders, neck and upper back.

The problem is they are now refusing to pay for surgery of the left thumb base because it is a different body part. I have to say that I disagree with this since the overuse is a result of the original injury. I’m debating on whether I should seek an attorney or use individual health insurance to pay for the surgery. Any comments are appreciated.

You think you need to see a lawyer
See one
This way you can pick , Tenacity to try is us
I am a hard case anyway, I have had court cases overtime by my post .
Hugs and Happy holiday Your doing Great!!!!

Tom

Thanks for the reply. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you too.

OMG!!!
I hope I am smart enough to write this,???
There is so many of us here, sure support comes with a hug!!! We try , thing work out trying and then the Greats HUG ,is Try!!! Or they dont!!! YOU NEVER EVER FAIL BY TRYING< IT BETTER IN LIFE 65
Thank GOD to all trying,
Just
Tom

Since my post last December 2015, I have been visiting a Chiropractor (CP) and Massage Therapist (MT).

The MT has been doing deep tissue massage on the brachial plexus injured right side as well as the left scapula, arm, hand, neck and upper back. There has been a huge improvement that includes breaking up scar tissue and releasing trigger points in the tight muscles. On the overused left side, he has been stretching the tendon that runs down the forearm into the hand, and massaging the left hand itself.

The CP made adjustments to my neck and upper back. At first, he did not want to go near the right brachial plexus injured side but after numerous sessions of massage, he is now able to adjust the right clavicle. On the left overuse side, there was a tendon in the shoulder that kept popping out causing pain and limiting movement. He has been able to push the tendon back in and through regular visits it now has had some healing and the tendon stays in.

When I explained to the CP, that my hand specialist recommended surgery (for thumb base pain), the CP stated he could help with that. I was amazed. Having surgery would have meant not having use of my "good" hand for 6 weeks. Here is a link that explains the surgery -- http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/ ... thumb-base
Through regular visits, he started with adjusting the wrist then added in thumb adjustments. The wrist adjustments have eased the pressure on the tendon and the thumb adjustments have improved strength. He also just started a red light laser treatment that will hopefully ease some of the pain.

Before surgery on anyone’s overused “good” hand, I would highly recommend finding an experienced Chiropractor, rather than jumping into surgery. I always thought CPs dealt with only the spine but they are remarkable healers of the whole body.