United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi All
I've just received my date for admission to Stanmore Hospital(London)under Dr Birch-3rd February 2004.He's gonna move part of my pec muscle to my bicep and transfer a tendon from the underside of my wrist to the top.

I was just after some feedback from you guys about this op.

I'm sure i'll find out when i get there but i was wondering how long my stay will be,whats the post op procedure for the arm,whats the recovery time and how successful can i expect it to be.

I'd be very grateful for any replies, it will give me an idea of what to expect.

Thanks Leon

Altho our experience is with transfer of a different muscle/tendon/nerve group, I expect the overall scenario isn't all that different. Our surgeon said he got one of the nerves within an inch of the transferred muscle, and within about four months we saw real muscle response (as opposed to just a flicker). I'm not sure how much the nerve needs to get into the muscle before it can be fired.

Hospital stay was 5 days (2 in ICU), and therapy four times a week (2 physical therapy, one occupational therapy in a pool and another just working the hand). Electrical stim and biofeedback every day at home, plus exercises to retrain the brain to recognize signals to the arm instead of the chest.

We hear great things about Dr. Birch - so keep us posted!

Ellen