United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi......I am really struggling with whether or not to get a shoulder fusion. I am wondering if anyone has gotten one, do you like it? Why would you get one or not get one? I was injured 4 1/2 years ago (complete avulsion)......my surgeon grafted nerves for elbow flexion. She said I needed a fusion but I chickened out. I'm concerened that the subluxation will cause pain down the road? How 'bout anyone with an older injury........any thoughts?

hi suzanne...glad u posted was about to do the same myself...cant help u out that much looking for the same information my self....my boyfriend is due to have his shoulder fused on the 16th october....so if there is anyone out there with some info it would be great to here from u....e.g recovery how long and also pain wise

Hi Suzanne-
My doctors @ Mayo wanted to do the same on me. I had x-rays that shows my shoulder is dislocated. I asked them the same thing....do you have pictures of what I'm going to look like, other people that have had this. I remember when I had my muscle transfer Mayo asked permission to release my name and phone number to others that were considering having it done and they could call and talk to me. I wish they provived the same for the shoulder fusion. Its scarey because once its done thats it, it stays that way forever!! What if I hate it??

Hi Suzanne,I know what you are going though,I had a injury to my right shouder 10 years ago,and been though 5 operations to try to fix it,nothing seems to help so today my doctor is sending me to another surgent to talk about a fusion on my right shoulder....to answer you question about id the subluxation will cause pain down the road,I hate to tell you that it will not get better,and yes for many years I have been suffering with alot of pain....The only thing I can tell you is to go for it,and remember that you have us all behind you 100%...Take care bye

Hi - are you having the fusion because your arm sticks out like a wing? if so I had a rotational osteotomy (55 degrees)to cure the problem. It was the best thing I have had done to my arm.
Good Luck
Phil

Suzanne,
a shoulder fusion should stop subluxation rather than make it worse. I recently met a fellah who'd had shoulder fusion, and he said it improved his life. Whether to go for it or nor really depends on the severity of the BPI. If your arm is extremely unlikely to recover shoulder movement, then fusion won't make it any worse than it is already, and may even provide a more stable platform for recovery lower down the arm.
There are plenty of people who can give you better advice than I can. Try also posting this thread at www.tbpi-group.org

Go for it. I had my shoulder fused in 1968 after BPI accident. I was off work for a few years having various other operations but now there are not many things that I can't do. (except change a light bulb thats hanging from a flex. Good luck

the only reason I was considering the fusion was because I thought maybe it would help the pain and prevent additional pain from subluxation after I've had the injury awhile (you know years down the road). I'm really confused because doctors I've spoken to have said it will not affect the pain. I have virtually no function besides elbow flexion so I really don't see that it would affect my function enough to make it worth going under?? I just don't know. I have spoken to two (met one of them) TBPI folks that did it and love it but they have hand function.

from what we have been told it wont help with the pain but provide more comfort...my boyfriend is due to have his shoulder fused in 2 weeks i'll get back to u suzanne and let u know how the op went.... really ya bugged if u do.. ya bugged if ya dont situation....the way we have looked at it is what do we have to lose....nothing really he has more to gain hopefully....

Okay, I have a question.....what is the shoulder fusion suppose to do? I cancelled my surgery because....well, I chicken out, too. I'm tired of surgeries and if its not going to help my pain, give me more movement or make me look better than why do it??? Help me here, what is the proceeder for? Anyone?