United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone on feb15.2014 i was in a motorcycle accident. I can not lift my right arm at all in any way. I can open and close my hand and move my wrist inward but not the top of my hand upward. From my elbow to my hand it also can move only inward. And my shoulder does have movement. My arm is popped out of my shoulder. My index finger and thumb and the upper half of my arm all the way up to the shoulder are numb. I do however when i try to lift or move around my arm i feel like effort in it like the nerves are trying. nothing visible on the outside just feels like it on the inside. I Also have pain which i take pain killers for. Ive had a MRI and a Emg. The neuro says that the nerves are stretched and that to just wait for them to heal on their own, but how do i know if that is true? And i wanted to ask if the pain is going to go away eventually with time? Also my shoulder can it recover? wat can i do about my shoulder? This has certainly not been easy. Much respect to everyone i know my injury doesnt sound as bad as others. Any input comments or opinions will be greatly appreciated

I am glad you wrote
You really need a second option from a specialist who deals with these injuries. Try writing the state and city you live in .
Maybe someone can give you a name of a doctor near you here .
He told you they were stretch nerves , so has the doctor getting you theory??
The best way to get usage is by therapy to hopefully increase what you can. I never had help for my birth erbs,but stretching what I could end up to help the most.
One thing is for sure , your in the right sight for help
Keep posting , there is a lot of people here that are on the same quest by post.
Tom

this sounds almost exactly what i went through with my stretch. DO NOT WAIT FOR IT TO HEAL!!! IT MOST LIKELY WONT. I had no choice but to wait 14 months before i had corrective surgery. the was a HUGE mistake. i could have had a lot more back if i would have had the surgery a lot sooner. i am happy with what i got back though. but i still have a lot of deficits. weakness, numbness, partial paralysis and stiffness in my hand, etc. i do have almost full range of motion in my elbow and shoulder now. dont wait too long to have this corrected. after 14 months my muscles in my arm deteriorated to the point they were turning to fatty tissue and i will never get that muscle back. dont wait too long. they had to do a totally different surgery after they opened my arm up. good luck and i hope your pain goes away soon.

Hi and thanks for the info I just feel so confused right now I see that I have to find somewhere to go to now. I live in California can anyone recommend a doctor here or should I try to see if my insurance covers Mayo? as ive seen on posts that it is a great place to go to. Thanks

Hi! I am ROBPI. I can empathize with people with TBPI. One's life changes forever. The emotions, body pain, the sheer amount of adaptation. However, one may still live a full life. The key is LIVE! LEARN! LOVE!

After the initial shock and other emotional issues, one will find their way using coping skills and learning new ways to do daily tasks. Be kind to yourself, don't push for a quick fix, and listen to others with the same type BPI issues.

The UBPN Family is a great resource for anyone.

Tony/ASC
ROBPI/Adult

just wondering how you are making out fernando...

i hope you are recovering steadily. a traction injury can be so tricky to diagnose and heal. i am 17 months out of what i would have considered a mild traction injury - and i just returned to work part time ( i am a pediatric OT and have a very physical job ). PT, accupuncture, massage, heat, rest, physical and emotional adaptation (emotional much more difficult than physical!) and pain meds (advil/cymbalta - off label) all help.

best of luck to you.
jen