United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am wondering if anyone has had their shoulder fused following a bpi accident/repair and whether or not the pain decreased at all. I am considering getting a shoulder fusion thinking this might help the pain?????

Hi Suzanne
I am Paulo ´99 rBPI, had shoulder fusion about 1,5year after accident. Nope, no pain decrease. But it helps other things.
Best to you
Paulo G

Hello Suzzane, I'm having the same operation on the 1st April, as far as I'm aware it wont help your pain decrease, It just makes things a lot more comfortable. I'm not sure how much, but If It does make things a bit more bearable, It might help in other ways, like doing a lot more exercise & your shoulder won't be sore when you are not wearing your sling. Can't realy tell you any more about it, goodluck.
Bigsel Scottish tbpi.

I'm just curious, do you wear your sling all the time? My accident was Feb '99 and I stopped wearing mine, I'm guessing about a year ago?? Are you getting the shoulder fusion for function? I have no movement in my hand so I haven't gotten the fusion though at one point was scheduled for it.........can't decide what to do. I hate the sling but it would STOP the widening subloxation there? My biggest hurdle has been the pain!

Hello there Suzanne, yes I do wear my sling all the time, I can't realy go without it, I can't let my arm just hang there, it get's realy sore. I'm not getting the fusion for movement, It realy is just for comfort, when I go running it jumps out the socket all the time & it gets sore, I've had to stop my running until after the op. That's the only reason I'm getting the op. Take care.
Sel.

Suzanne
You know, I just had this conversation today with a long term tbpi. I'm totaled since 11/2001 and am frankly sick of letting my arm hang out of the "socket". What he had to say was that basically it had been a very good decision for him to fuse, such as these decisions are. He said that he felt this improved the pain situation for him. He made what I believe is a strong point in that his Doctors told him that with all the muscles hooked up to your shoulder the chances of them all working well enough after a tbpi to ever give you a funtional shoulder are about as close to zero as you can get without getting into advanced math. I have personally come to except the fact that I will never use my shoulder again and am tired of the sublaxation, as much as I hate to admit it my decision is probably going to be fusion, and soon. At least you can sit up straight according to my tbpi mentor, instead of constantly looking for a chair arm or some other crutch to force your arm back in. My theory is that all in all this procedure may in fact strengthen what little function I have regained as I wiil no longer be so protective of this hanging travesty that used to be my right arm and will possibly get it out of the sling every once in a while.
Truth is I'm not too sure about this move, as it is apparently irreversible, like the rest of my mistakes I suppose, so I would like to read any imput anyone else has on this.
Thanks, Onepaw

hi was hoping someone could give me some information regarding having a fusion we r in australia and cant find any one to talk to about this..b/f suffered nerve&muscle damage in car accident 15mths ago and things havent improved since accident..he suffers from alot of pain down the top of the arm and on shoulder i would say he has about 1/4 to half movement in the arm ..cant put his arm behind his back... surgeon has recommened for fusion to be done but has said will not fix pain but might at least give some comfort...how long is the procedure and how long does recovery usually take...looking forward to a reply...thanks

hi posted a message before but dont think it worked, anyway here i go again....hoping someone can give a bit of advice on shoulder fusion..b/f suffered nerve and shoulder damage from car accident 15 mths ago and things have not improved at all..he has alot of pain down the side of arm and in shoulder, he would have 1/4 to half movement in arm but still cant put his arm behind back...surgeon wants to go ahead with fusion saying it will not releave pain but might give a bit more comfort...what is the procedure like and how long is usually the recovery...any comments would be greatly appreciated...

hey Lisa
First is the lag in your messages is because you are on as a guest so your posts are cleared by the moderators before they will let it on. Saves the integity of the boards.
Now for the important part. The way i understand the benefits of shoulder fusion it will help with the pain caused by subligation [streching out of socket] but will not help the nerve pain. Big Sel, who posted earlier on this topic is post op now and may be more able to enlighten you about his experiance. Nice fellow, drop him some mail.
Red