United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was wondering if there was any info out there to learn more about this procedure. I visited a few of the mentioned websites and none mention bicep tendon lengthening. My son Justin is having surgery at TCH on 1/23 (very nervous) and I would like to familarize myself with everything including post/pre-op. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

This surgery was a "breeze" compared to the Primary and Mod Quad. Kelsey is 5, and had her surgery in July (they also lengthened the Brachialis). The dr.'s asked her what her favorite color was when we were in the holding room. When she came out of surgery, she had a blue cast with a blue bandage over it. The procedure lasted about an hour, maybe a little longer. When we went to recovery, she was almost awake, starting to open her eyes. She came out of the anesthesia, and had all of her drinks and snacks. She had one dose of tylenol in recovery, and then no more. She never complained of pain. We went home the next morning. She had a cast that ran about mid fore arm to mid upper arm. It was split on both sides to allow for swelling, and covered with an ace bandage. She wore it constantly for 2 months. Her OT took the cast off when it was time, and replaced it with an extension splint. She is wearing that at night even still. When the cast came off, the steri strips were still on, so in the bath that night we washed them off. Her scar is right in the crease of her elbow, and is shaped like a Z. She is so excited that her arm is so straight!

My son also had this procedure done this summer, and we are very pleased with the results. He has just started wearing the extension splint at night and we have already seen an improvement and are hopeful that we will soon gain full extension. My son (he is almost eight) noticed the difference in his arm right away after the cast came off, he was very happy.

Bridget

Hello,
My son had this procedure done on five weeks ago. He is three. Before the surgery, he had a 25 degree contracture and now about 5 degrees. He has had Mod Quad and primary. The doctors were great with him. We totally prepped him well in advance and told him to listen and respond to the doctors. THe procedure took about an hour and compared to MQ and primary, he was in alot more pain. He told the nurse right away and they did give him morphine. He had that for almost one day, then switched to tyneloy with codine. By night time, he was back to himself but still needed pain medicine. He is in a extension splint for 6 weeks. No rom or any therapy for 6 weeks. We are going back to TCH on Jan 7 for a post op checkup. The first week we did have to give Tyneloy with codine at home, but now we do not give anything. His steri strips did not come off, so we did take them off at week 3. His inscision is hardly noticeable. If you have any other questions you can email me. Best of luck.

Thank you so much for your response. I think I have spoken with you before. As it approaches we have so many more concerns. You had mentioned that Ian would write Justin a letter about surgery. That would be wonderful and much appreciated. How did Ian do when he woke up from surgery?

Can you email me your mailing address and I will ask Ian to write Justin a letter about surgery?

Ian did great after surgery, he has an extremely high pain tolerance level and would not accept any type of medication after surgery. He bounced right back.

I'll watch for your email with your address.

Bridget