United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello... here I come with another question.... I read on the general boards about OBPI using the supinator strap ans was wonering if any TBPI have used it? Dr. NAth said that I should use it, if even just for the stretch. I can twist my arm but barely past neutral. HE said that with trying to get my biceps back that I should wear this aswell. Wondering if any of you ahve used it! Thanks in advance!
COurtney

Courtney - just wanted to share an observation about a supination strap....

Maia had one many years ago and it did nothing...

but now she has one that is attached to her David brace and it truly holds her in neutral stretch. It's amazing... the reason it works is because it's anchored on both sides...

take a look at the pictures here:
http://www.arkpcb.com products
see the david brace and see the supination brace...

I will try to tie Maia down for a moment so I can get a picture of her in her full brace.... she loves it - tells me that it really feels good. Maybe you don't need the whole david brace type of setup - or even the amanda brace- but if you could find some way to secure it on both ends.... maybe talk to Ruth about and see what she says... did you meet her at camp? (Ruth Cofre - manufacturer of the brace).

WE call it the "Snakey" brace!

-francine

Thanks Francine, I did check it out and I have emailed Ruth as to get some other info. They do not do adult splints so..... we shall see, thats what the web site said. Thanks for the help!
Courtney

Courtney...you get the strap from this place

http://www.mckiesplints.com/instructions.htm

They do all sorts of straps and splints...and in 6 different colours I hear!

Liz B :0)

courtney - the supinator strap is such a simple piece.... maybe she can make you a modified amanda brace that is very small so that you have the attachment point at BOTH ends...THAT's what really makes the difference. I tried on an adult supination brace from ruth at camp.... and she taught me how to put on t he david brace by putting it on her.... granted she's a tiny woman, but it was an adult brace....

how are you feeling??
-francine

Thanks Liz! That was what I was looking for! I am waiting to hear back from Dr. Nath and see what he wants me to do! Francine, I am feeling ok! I just got back from my friends house, we got movies and beer! It was nice! No pain to speak of, in the arm pit that is! The spasms in my hand are getting worse but Nath said I could expect that! YEAH! Thanks for the advice about the splin too! I have emailed her and Ill see what she has to say! Thans for helpingme get better everyone! How is Maia with school??
Courtney

school seems to be going ok for the moment... one day at a time....

no matter what is going on with recess or allergies or anything - Maia really enjoys the learning part and she's learning a lot... she comes home and teaches us everything she learned. It's happpening very fast.

Maia came home and taught us what to do in case of a fire and in case we got our clothes on fire. Then I went and cooked steak for dinner and the smoke detector went off - she was ready to fight a fire!!! hahaha she grabbed her fireman's hat and was ready to leave the house!! funny stuff.

take care,
francine

Glad to hear tat Francine! Take care and give Maia a hug for me please!
Courtney

Helpful advice on a strap from anyone would be appreciated. We are 4 weeks into this and my husband has had spinal surgery so anything around his neck right now is out of the question. At this point though, he is feeling limited because he's having to use his other hand to lift his arm. PT seems to be "stumped". Suggestions?

Thanks!

Re a strap that doesn't go round your neck:

In the summer at the Squires TBPI meeting in the UK, I met a bloke from Northern Ireland (Hello Derek)who has made up a waist sling using a Weider weight lifter's belt. He added straps to it with velcro fastenings so that he can secure his BPI arm across his body at waist height. This enables him to do all sorts of physical stuff with the arm well secured and supported.

Visit http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/tbpi-photos/ and find the Squires link to see photos of the sling.

You have to be a member of Yahoo Groups TBPI photos. Visit http://www.tbpi-group.org to find out how to join