United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

after reading what many folks go through - i am feeling a little wimpy with my "stretch" injury...and to boot - i am an occupational therapist....hmmm....here i go...

~ so, i was at work when i was playing with a child in a net swing - and basically the timing was off (way off) and the little boy yanked my arm when i wasn't expecting it (as he was swinging with good momentum) i heard a snap (in my neck) and commented to another "that was not good" but in actuality felt ok until later that night....took advil and returned to work the next day.... by THAT night, (over 24 hours after injury) i was in the emergency room with severe pain in back and neck, facial spasms, burning in ears, and uncontrollable neck movements (whipping hard side to side). i thought i was stroking out. really.

i had mri's, mra's and emg's all of which came back without significant results (slight age related changes in cervical spine and upper traps firing overtime).

here is my problem - i attempted to go back to work 3 weeks post injury - MISTAKE - i was left with very little arm and hand function for about 5 days after that at which time, ROM, dexterity and strength slowly started to return. I am now 3 months post injury and attempted once again to return to work (on a limited schedule).

After a very light week at work - I again had an "episode" of intense pain in neck and back - along with the facial spasms (hemi - facial spasm...). Next day, pain, limited ROM, weakness.... So - I am again out of work....ugh....

Does anyone have any experience with the facial spasms? And again - I know it is considered a stretch injury, but my understanding was that it should recover within 3 months. I do have most of my ROM (limited shoulder flexion and abduction) and even fair strength - I have intermittent sensory symptoms in hand and shoulder. My neck gets tired easily.

What can I expect of this? Is it realistic for me to expect to return to work any time soon? I am anxious - my job requires quite a bit of upper extremity and bilateral hand use along with weight bearing and crawling.....lifting....

any inside information would be greatly appreciated. i know no one can say exactly how long until i am 100%, but i am looking for folks with experience. i want to get back to work....

thanks for any input....

Hi ,
Oh the unknown
You need to see a doctor who deals with our injuries and soon, Some injury do have time eliminates to them, some do not
If your doctor can not give you a referral, ask here , there are many here from different states.
If this injury is job related , then apply for WC, and get a referral from the insurance doctor.
If this injury is not job related, than after 6 mo., you can apply for Social Security Disability.
I never new there was help for my birth erbs, injuries like this do need to be seen soon, there are so many post ,requiring this.
My good arm got ripe up driving a semi, I have dealt with Wc and ended up PTD, Dealt with getting Social security disability.
Hopefully this mite help,
Tom

thanks, tom. i appreciate your time. looks like you have quite a bit of experience (sorry to say) but a good attitude : )

i have been hedging on going to a specialist because i keep thinking this is "just a stretch"...it will heal....BUT - i also understand what you are saying in regards to timing....

on a side note, i am glad i found this website for personal reasons as well as professional - it is a great resource for many of the families i work with (mostly obpi) - especially like the videos showing what people can do using one hand ; )

thanks again!
jen

you have a work related injury. treatment of the injury should be covered by workers compensation. Have you seen a doctor? Have you received PT? Has your doctor or therapist said you are well enough to return to work; even on a limited basis?

If you have loss of function in your hand and arm that has remained since your injury I would look up a bpi specialist. Most doctors and physicians seem to lack proper knowledge on how to treat this type of injury (tbpi) when the proper treatment is a must. There's a six month window in treating this type of injury so you have to seek a specialist yourself before time runs out. Mayo clinic and Wake forest are the two places I know of that works with these type of injuries. Good luck!

Hi Jen,
Thanks for your effort in being a advocate
Its amazing to see how a Spirit grows overtime to endure to try to adapt in so many post here, That we share in our one hand world no matter when the injury happen in life
I will never understand how there there can be web sights like this ware there are many post here to name and referral for Bpi Doctors that so many post here to,
Hospital and doctor have no understanding of this injury or a BPI specialist to send a baby to or a later in life in-juried BPI to a bpi Specialties they have no clue, Nor have no They dont know of web sight like ours or That ref-feral can be found here it is , Why a person will leave a hospital with out a BPI Doctor to see is in my eyes need court action.
There is a time eliminate to these injury , that need to be correct in time, no matter when they happen, That to me is males to not being give a ref-feral to a BPI Doctor to begin with DELiver room or leaving ER
Nothing like a fired up spirit
Just thinking ?????
Tom

my injury was "just a stretch" over 3 years ago. i have permanent partial paralysis in my hand. but my arm is not quite as bad. i was told the "its just a stretch" nonsense. i ended up with major and massive surgery to correct this little "stretch". Get it taken care of ASAP. 6 months after the injury is usually the best time for the surgery. I had to wait 14 months for this surgery. that is why i have such limited function. i lost too much muscle for the surgery to have the maximum result. i was told if i had waited even a few more weeks, i would have had no muscle to work with at all. but there was initially no hand function at all. and very limited elbow and shoulder function. i went to DR Susan mackinnon in st Louis MO. she is wonderful. she may appear to some people as having a gruff bedside manner, but i did not see that in her. she was very nice to me.

thank you again for your input.....i really do appreciate it : )
j

jmar wrote:6 months after the injury is usually the best time for the surgery.

2 weeks to 4 months to 6 months
The Mayo Clinic Team prefers the 4 month waiting period for the majority of surgical interventions. That doesn't mean there aren't different time frames better suited for different situations, but...

Do not push the 6 month waiting period unless it is a unique case that a BPI specialist is monitoring and advising on.

Diagnostics and strategies are evolving and each injury has its own demands. (i.e. a Stretch may be wisest to wait up to 6 months for surgical intervention, where complete Avulsions have no need to determine if injury will regenerate because the nerve is detached).

Of course this is the internet and everyone should double, triple, and quadruple check any information taken (especially medical).

Good Luck,
Christopher

did not word that right....sorry. ooops. should have proofread it better. thanks christopher for catching that.