United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My 3 yr old daughter just had a 3D CT scan taken of her shoulders. Her right (affected) side is soooo different from her left side. The angle of the clavicle is almost straight across (her OT is worried that it might compress the thorax vessel?) rather than angled up, there is a gap between the humeral head and the joint area, the scapula is slid forward towards the front and the front part of it is tipped down. What I was wondering from the OBPI adults, is have you had any scans taken of your shoulders? What does the affected side look like? Has anyone said that the clavicle or acromion are overgrown? Do you suffer pain in the affected side's shoulder? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

I've never had anyone mention that my clavicle or acromium is overgrown but I've not had a scan taken of my shoulder.

The pain I have had in my bpi shoulder was lessened by the mod quad surgery. The pain I now have is from arthritis and it is actually worse on the no bpi shoulder!

That's just my experience. It'll be interesting to hear what the other adults say.

Nancy

Sorry Julie I have never had the ct scan on my shoulders. I do have problems with my shoulder and I am internally rotated but no one has ever checked it out. Wish I could help you. I would love to have this scan done just to satisfy my own curiosity
Kath

Sorry to be of no help....This last Saturday was the first time I had even had an x-ray on my shoulder....

Kath,

Have you thought of seriously getting a scan? They say curiosity killed the cat, but I don't think so. Seriously, couldn't you get your insurance to cover it. I think it would be interesting. I also think that adult information is so lacking and who knows what you may be able to contribute and educate the doctors on. Just a thought I felt like sharing. Thanks for all you sharing and involvement on these boards!

Hi Guys,
Just FYI - The 3D CT scan is a valuable tool in diagnosing certain problems. Normal x-rays are 1-dimensional, as are MRI and regular CT. Each has their place of course. But 3D CT will show a 360 degree view of the shoulder bones, almost as if looking at a model of the shoulder. You can look at the shoulder from underneath, from above, from the side, from every angle. Some problems (such as the overgrown acromion) will not appear on a 1-dimensional x-ray but will be apparent on 3D. Does this make sense?
Jaime

Guest

I would love a CT Scan... I wish I could get my doctor to order it... but don't think she will. It is so hard to get primary care physicians involved. Although, mine has been very supportive since I educated her with all of my UBPN information... LOL...

I have pronated hand and internal rotation... I would love my shoulder fixed... would that change scapular winging and perhaps the spinal compression? just wondering.

Kath

I have a book about bpi surgery and in the chapter about obpi, there is a photograph of an ordinary xray which clearly shows the acromion overgrowth. I do believe it would take a very skilled radiologist but it is certainly possible for this to show up on an xray.

btw, my pain is also worse on the no bpi shoulder, like Nancy, probably thru overuse, but I am tbpi not obpi.

Jenny

Your right it takes and expert to notice...

When I had an xray of my shoulders - they said I had my arms in the Y position... duh not unless they put duck tape to hold it up ... so I don't think the xray was taken or read properly. All you have to do it look at me and you can see the difference...

Yes my left should is like yours overused... so remember you have years to go with it and take care! pamper yourself now that the children are growing up... LOL...
Kath