United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Alyssa had the mod quad on June 20th this year...we have seen great progress. We were told that her winging would get worse after this surgery(she had quiet a bit), but we have seen just the opposite. She barely has any at all..wondering if anyone else has experienced this after the mod quad? her OT notices a difference now too.
I called TCH and Gail returned my call pretty quickly and said to send a tape. We were supposed to send on in April but they would like to see now.
Also, Dr. Nath also talked about a surgery to straighten her arm out when we were in TCH. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. I am unsure what the procedure is called. Just want to find out what Alyssa may need to go through. When she was going to have the mod quad, I was straight with her as to what was going to be done, why and let her know all about the SOL splint...I would like to give her osme information on what she may need done in the future.
Thanks again

Jeanne.... of course you have to wait and see what the docs say about this winging because the information they give me is specifically for Maia and it may be different for your child. But I'll at least share with you what they told us ok? Dr. Nath told us that when a child stops winging it may be a sign of dislocation. Maia just had her surgery to correct this and he warned us before we signed the papers that Maia will be winging a LOT when the splint comes off - and that will be considered a good thing for her.

About the surgery to 'straighten her arm'. I'm not sure what has to be straightened - but does he mean correcting an elbow contracture so that she can open her arm up all the way? Or does he mean an osteotomy to change the position of the arm?

Give us an update once you find out ok?

take care,
francine

Hello,
My son had a procedure to straighten his arm, it was the bicept lengthening procedure. He is 3. This was his third surgery (Primary, Mod Quad). We are three weeks post op . He had about a 25 degree contracture and they released it so now he has about 5 degrees. It is much better. He has to wear an extension splint for 24 hours six weeks. We are to do no rom, just to take off for bandage change and bathing. The procedure only took about an hour. My son did have alot of pain but I told him to tell the nurses right away and they gave him Morphine as soon as he woke up. By evening time, he was fine. THe first week home we had to give him tynelol with codenine but now he does not need anything for pain. Good luck with your eval.

Francine,
Thanks for the info. We were told she was dislocated before, when she was around 7 months old after her primary surgery, but were told by her doc here in Indy that is would cause a great deal of pain in the long run if they were to fix the dislocation. Of course, he had nothing to back this up. Her OT doesn't seem to feel anything is dislocated...things seem to be getting tighter..she has OT tomorrow so I will ask then.
As far as the surgery to straighten out her arm, her elbow is contracted about 5 degrees, but her OT is hoping that with ROM and some stretching exercises that we can help her out...maybe avoiding another surgery, but this is not s definite thing.
Thanks for the info!

how about trying a dynamic splint for the 5 degrees?
There are many people on here who have had great luck with dynamic splints both dynasplint and ultraflex. I have write up about them on the splint page

www.injurednewborn.com/maia/splints.html

I didn't think they did surgery for 5 degrees...but I may be wrong.

-francine

Hi again Francine,
I talked to Alyssa's OT today, she said her contracture is around 10 degrees or so. She is worried about weight bearing just in case she is starting to dislocate. Alyssa usually does the wheelbarrow walk on the way out to the waiting room. We are starting to work more on supination.
I am still pretty new to all this, but what causes the dislocation to happen? No muscle & nerves to keep things where they are supposed to be?
Well, thank you soo much for replying..gotta head to work!

Thanks again.
Jeanne

I just read your message. Funny, I was actually looking for someone who had a bicep tendon lengthening procedure done (which, I think, is what your child will need). My son is scheduled for surgery at TCH on 1/22/02. I was looking for any leads or any info. Really nervous. Thanks!

I saw the message that you posted. My son Justin will be six in February. He is scheduled for a bicep tendon lengthening procedure at TCH on 1/22/02. Any information you can offer would be greatly aprreciated.

Hi, Christine. Welcome to the board. You'll probably get a better response if you start a new message and include the name of the procedure as your subject. I know there are people here whose children who have had that procedure done (1 or 2 at least). We haven't had to have that procedure so I can't help you there. Best wishes for Justin's surgery. -Tina