United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My baby was born with a brachial plexus injury and couldnt move her arm at all, only her fingers. Now one of the only limitations she has is lifting her arm up and bending her elbow. I spoke with one OT that said she has little chance of regaining full function back by herself at this point. I spoke with another that said she could improve fully within a few months. The things I read online said she could still fully improve. Im a wreck not knowing and having to wait. Has anyone gone through this with their child and they improved? Also I was wondering how effective surgery is, if she would need it. Any stories or advice or anything would be great.

are you taking her to a brachial plexus SPECIALIST? not just a regular neurologist? a regular neurologist usually does not have the proper training to deal with a BPI. you will not get the best results because they will tell you to play the "wait and see" game. that is not a good idea when it comes to this type of injury. i was injured as an adult but i know personally that is not a good idea to play the waiting game. there are some specialists listed under the resources tab on this site. that is not a complete list. you might want to take her to a specialist ASAP.

Yes, she sees the brachial plexus specialist in milwaukee

Welcome "katiexdobratz" to our UBPN Family! I call in a family because we are all in this together for a life-time of care. We Understand and give Love and Support . there is no such thing as a dumb question except the one not asked.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/74

We are going through just about the same issues. Our son was born last year (july 20 - my birthday) and he has a obpi to right arm. He could move his fingers from birth and started OT at 13 days old. We have been shuffled from one nuerosurgeon to another and finally went to Childrens hospotal in ST Louis. The doctor there reccomended surgery because he cannot raise his arm above 90 degrees without wearing a brace (with the brace he can raise to almost 130 degrees)

The doctor and therapists gave a liturature about the surgery along with the risks and benefits. We weighed all of our options, pros and cons, and decided not to have surgery.

His OT says that our son will continue to improve to appoximatly 85% full range of motion. He is at 70% now. He has 100% movement in fingers and wrist.

I wish you luck in your journey with your child. Ask lots of questions, take notes, and above all trust in your own judgement.

Thank you so much! How old was your son when he started moving his arm up and flexing his elbow? He sounds like hes doing great!!

((big hugs)). Playing the waiting game is hard. I always thought myself a patient woman, but after I had my son, it was like learning patience infinity! 5 yrs. later and we still play a bit of the waiting game. Hang in there, Mama.

Has your baby had an EMG yet?

Here was the timeline when my son (now 5 yrs. old) was a little baby. Started OT at 3 wks. old for splinting. Saw his Brachial Plexus Center at 6 wks old in Cincinnati. Based on that exam and lack of movement (just some of his fingers) he had an EMG done a few weeks later. After giving him another month and still no bicep movement or new movement (the bicep seemed to be the key in their decision making) and the results of the EMG test, they decided he was a candidate for the nerve transfer and grafting surgery. He had it done at 3-1/2 months old. Though the surgery was the harder one for me, emotionally (post partum hormones adjusting do not help either!), my son was back to his smiley self 10 days post-op. Many moms who tell their infant's stories say their babies are back to cooing and smiling a day after! I'm thankful he had it done as they found neuromas, ruptures, and an avulsion that needed worked on. A few months after, we started to see movement and gradually more after that. Some nerves didn't heal as well as others and he doesn't have full ROM, but it's more than he would have if he didn't have the nerve surgery!

What helped me was to focus on each goal/plan and to teach myself not to let my mind go too much in the future (every baby is so different and how they heal is different). It's hard, but it helps! Like right now, I would focus on the care plan your baby's BP Center has put in place. IF they've scheduled an EMG/MRI, learn about those procedures and then focus on keeping up with the ROM exercises. Then based on those results, focus on learning about the surgery or a different plan they put in place.
-I still do this with my son now.

Hi! And thank you She actually just started moving her arm up, which is amazing! We had an appointment at Childrens in Milwaukee yesterday, and we are in the process of getting the emg scheduled. Its so promising to hear about success stories like this I talk to another mom who has been an amazing support for me! They chose not to have the surgery for their son, and he is doing great! Again like you said, different child, different healing. My daughters doctors too are worried about her lack of bicep movement, but hopefully it comes. What percent is your sons ROM? How high is he able to lift his arm? Thinking about the future is one of the hardest things for me about this....but its getting better.

hello,the window i was given was 3 months,they can fully improve in the 3 month gap,after 3 months the chances dim down some.No one knows anything for sure because all kiddos and their injuries are so different

raising crops : ) Our story is almost exactly the same.We just did a muscle transfer 2 weeks ago,and one of the two nerves we thought didnt take from the nerve graft he had at 5 months was found to just be kinked its amazing news for us,how is your little one now