I am recovering from a left-arm c-6,7,8 nerve avulsion(ithink thats right...doc said i ripped them out...lol)back from oct9,1996. I had an 81/2hr surgery a year later by Dr.Kline. my biceps and everything blow my elbow now work and i can shrug my shoulder. DrKline says i should be happy w/what i got back but then again he hasnt gone 6+years w/out being able to lift hisarm.i was hoping someone might help in knowledge how to recovoer my triceps and shoulder and chest movement. are there any nerve accelerating drugs or treatments i can try? the nervers are firing in my shoulder and triceps but i am tired of waiting another six years of my life go by w/out my arm working. I wanna make sure that i will be able to lift my child up in my armS (not that i have one yet but in the future i hope too..lol)...but that wont happen if i quit now and settle w/what i have now at 21. I wish i would have found this forum years ago...and i feel for any/everyone who has gone through the same torment of a paralysis that i have. all i can say is never quit...i know i never will.
thank you
ben
Any suggestions...?
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admin
- Site Admin
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Re: Any suggestions...?
Since your injury was so long ago, I expect your muscles that haven't been working have atrophied by now. Most US doctors just do nerve transfers, but the doctors at the Mayo Clinic in MN do gracilis muscle transfers as well. You may want to contact them & see if that would be an option for you. (The gracilis muscle is in the inner thigh & isn't really used unless you ride horses or something like that.) Your young age is a big asset. Good luck and you're right - never give up!
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jennyb
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.
Re: Any suggestions...?
Dr Kline is prolly happy with your arm b/c getting lower arm function on lower plexus injuries after a year is practically a miracle. If the other nerves are intact there might be secondary surgery such as muscle transfers that will help with the upper arm, check the medical resources directory and get some opinions and hassle Dr Kline too, he does know his tbpi stuff. You're right, however good these docs are none of them have to live with a bpi and even tho your first surgery was such a success as you say, the doc doesn't have to spend his life with the arm.
Just in case things don't work out, don't make yourself too miserable worrying about holding your (future) baby, my arm didnt get much recovery at all and basically just hangs there, but I managed to hold my 3 just fine, you adapt really well. Let us know how things pan out Ben and best of luck :0) Jen NZ
Just in case things don't work out, don't make yourself too miserable worrying about holding your (future) baby, my arm didnt get much recovery at all and basically just hangs there, but I managed to hold my 3 just fine, you adapt really well. Let us know how things pan out Ben and best of luck :0) Jen NZ