United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi! Well today went ok. Apparently i have a dislocated shoulder! Would i feel the pain? The guy ses that he would like to cut my bone and turn it around to my the posture of my arm better becuase its twisted. He seemed very interested which was good! he had all these students in examining me with no top on!ekk. Iv to go back in 6months and iv to go for physiotherapy!.

Michelle x

Michelle:
Sounds like you got some questions answered and have a plan to proceed. An excellent result!!

John P.

Michelle - sounds like you had a good appointment. The surgery they suggest is called an osteotomy. I will soon have information and pictures about this surgery on the site, so stay tuned. Are you going to go for it?

Sorry about your topless exam. As you get older you will get more used to things like that...especially after you have a baby! LOL

keep on updating us ok?
-francine

Michelle,

Thanks for letting us know about your appointment. I actually signed in tonight to find out how things went for you. Sounds positive.

Don't worry about the topless thing. You were surrounded by doctors all they saw was the mole on your shoulder or the scar from when you fell as a kid. OR you could look at it this way "flaunt it while you got it" I had a cousin that use to say that all the time. I wish I had listened to him! LOL

Keep us informed as to what goes on.

Joy

Hi Michelle, GREAT NEWS!!!
are you pleased? what did your Mum say? was she pleased or is she worried? lots if the youngsters in our group have had surgery, so don't get too anxious, this porcedure is VERY common in older kids with Erb's over here, did Mr Hems say he was going to do the op or will Mr Birch? is that why you have to go to Stanmore?
Gosh sorry, lots of questions for you to answer!
by the way, most of the kids in our group whose shoulder is dislocated don't suffer any pain from it,most of them don't notice themselves, it's usually picked up by the physio or the specialist at an appointment.
Well done, I am so pleased for you
let us know how you get on
Karen

Michelle

I am so happy your appointment went well...
The surgery your doctor recommended is the one that would fix my arm into a better position... but I really feel that I am too old now to go ahead with it...

I am so glad that you have some answers...

Kath

Hey! Im glad you are all interested...how sweet!

Karen, you said that that op is very common...does this mean they will know EXACTLY what they are doing? Mr Hems said that i would lose some movement but my arm would sit better? Is it worth losing the movement i have? That is the only question that me and my parents have. My parents are completely worried already, you have you remember they really are not up to date on Erbs really so they are jst taking it from a medical point of view that id lose movement...for me personally id like the op.
Do you know how long it takes? Im really not sure about it tho because i woudlnt like to lose the movement i have because as they say, you dont know what youve got until its gone, what if i cant do alot after the op without the movement. i know its not a lot of movement ill lose but do you think it could b regained?

Oh dear theres a lot of q's 4 u!

Michelle x

Hi Michelle
no probs with the questions!
The rotational osteotomy ( as it's known) is one of the longest standing surgeries for this condition. It sounds much more radical than it is, and if you like I can put you in touch with some families whose child has had it done- e mail me your address privately on erbspalsygroup@supanet.com and I will forward some contacts on to you.
Did Mr Hems say which movements you would lose? I think it's important to discuss these things with him, so maybe you could e mail or write to him and ask him all the questions that you have thought about since the appointment.
he won't mind, it's only to be expected, you have spent
16 years not knowing anything and now you have been offered help, it's only natural to ask questions.
Certainly the people I have spoken to, whose children have had this surgery have all been pleased with the results, the arm sits in a more neutral position and looks more "natural" than it did prior to the op.
I think the surgery usually takes about 2 hours - but that will depend on each individual, but 2 hours is about the norm.
Another good thing, would be to ask the physiotherapist whether s/he thinks you could regain any lost movements after surgery - they would probably be able to teach you how to use your arm differently - I know that seems odd, but you've only ever had it in the position it's in now- once it's be changed, you might have better movements, but you will need to re-educate your arm/brain to do things differently and they are the best people to help you with re-habilitation.
Don't forget to e mail me and I'll pass on some contacts for you
Karen