United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have searched the forums for posts regarding Amputation.
I have one question what are the disadvantages of that procedure from medical point of view.

And one more thing Amputation+ DREZ at the same time?

Thanks

Don't know if you saw this thread ami http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... hread=3120 doesn't say anything about disadvantages though. I guess the surgery would carry similar risks to any other surgery and will not help with the nerve pain, DREZ has other risks too. Doing both at once sounds fairly drastic, what does your specialist say about this? Has he/she ever done this before?
I would be seeking other medical opinions as well as asking people here, Good luck in your decision.

I had my right arm amped 18 months ago, and I have had no disadvantages whatsoever. In fact I can truly say that it was a fantastic decision, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Even if they found a miracle cure tomorrow for BPI, or the pain that accompanies it, I would still say that I had made the right decision. You can never predict what is just around the corner, and I have had 18 months of vastly improved quality of life since the time that I was carrying around a flail arm.

Please read the previous posts on the subject, and you'll see all the advantages. I suppose the only real drawback is the way it looks when I don't wear a shirt. A stump is not the prettiest site, even though the surgeon did an excellent job, and it's really neat & tidy. It means I'm a bit self-concious about it in the swimming pool or in the heat of the summer. There are prostheses around if this is a big worry, but I can't be bothered wearing one.

I'm not an authority on DREZ, but I do know it carries some very serious risks, so it's not a route to take lightly.

e me if you need to on >>
(the chevrons are just there to try and fool the parasites who want to spam me), or catch me loafing about at http://www.tbpi-group.org

Jacko
Again I am intrigued by your input. The cut boys are poised for the sacrificial cut on my arm-as it were.I would like to do it but have heard that it can increase the pain,this of course is not exceptable.
I have a totally flail arm and slack shoulder and wonder how you were counseled before "the cut". also how long was it from your injury until you had the job done. I've always been a very active person and am quite sick of this baby sitting project.
thanks; Onepaw

Hi Onepaw

I had my flail arm amputated Aug 25, 03. Mine was taken off right at the shoulder. I haven't had any extra pain at all. It didn't help the nerve pain much, but the pain to my neck and back of carrying that dead arm is gone. The convenience of the arm being gone is wonderful! I would do it again! People say I carry myself so much better. They think I look better.

That is my experience. I hope it helps.

SusieKaye

Hello Onepaw. Your reply on the wine corks thread made me laugh.
Anyway, since my amp, I have not had any extra pain whatsoever, and I've lost the ache of subluxion.
It was 5 years between TBPI and chop, and after that amount of time I did not need any counselling. A quick chat with the surgeon, just to make sure it was really what I wanted, and off it came.

All I can say is...YOU GUYS ARE DAMN MOST HEROIC PEOPLE I'V EVER MET. Your courage goes beyond my comprehension. I could never sit here and have a calm conversation about amputation. In all seriousness...you people are hugely brave!

I had mine taken off a year after the injury, and that was 20 years ago.

Didn't change the pain but I was ever so glad to see it go.

H

Mac's Matthew,
thank you for the compliment, but I'm not brave. I feel that this term is losing it's validity somewhat these days. Brave men go into burning buildings to rescue people, or do something above and beyond the normal call of duty. Brave men went into the wreckage of the twin towers, protected civilians in Bosnia, fought the invaders in the Falklands and Kuwait, and rescued the hostages in the Iranian Embassy. I'm just getting on with my life.

I'll thank you then...I've done two of the above. Rigfht now I'm collecting rank behind a desk. ...and I like it that way.