United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anyone had surgery and came out worse than they went in?
I had a Steindler flexoplasty to get bicep movement in 1999 but there were bleeding complications post op and the next 6 months I went thru hell. The op was reversed and now I have no feeling in my arm and a huge scar up my wrist. I am interested if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Sorry to sound so negative, especially to all the people who have only recently got their injury.
I haven't visited this board for over 18 months and I have to say it has improved a lot.

Gary,
I haven't had a Steindler flexoplasty, but I am curious what that procedure is. I am curently facing surgery myself, and looking at all the options. What i s involed in the surgery, and did you have much feeling before surgery? Also where was the surgery performed? Hang in there, if they can get monkeys to operate mechanical arms, theres hope for us. Just keep fighting the good fight. Chow, Karl.

I know of one person who got considerably worse after a secondary surgery. All surgery has risks, a good doctor will tell you about all of them. Also minimise risk by asking the doctor how many times he or she has performed the surgery you are having on an adult patient with a similar injury. The more times, the less chance of problems. Most people are fine, and don't worry about sounding negative, I'm afraid doctors cause a lot of injuries and its something everyone should be aware of. Good luck :0)

Here's a good site about the complications of bpi surgery-I've never seen a hospital site this 'up front' about the risks, they usually just vaguely mumble '....your surgeon will discuss risks with you....'
http://uscneurosurgery.com/operating%20 ... #prognosis

http://uscneurosurgery.com/patient%20ed ... plexus.htm

The site has a section helping you with the informed consent process-again, I have never seen this elsewhere, it's very informative.
Here is also a site about general risks of ANY surgery, these figures are very scary but knowledge is power, right?
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/mistakes/common.htm

Be careful out there and always discuss any worries these pages might give you with your surgeon-a good one will not mind at all.