United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Its been a few months since I have posted on here. I had the humeral osteotomy on 2/20/04. The cracked my humeral bone & put 9 rods through my bone. I have an Ilizarov Fixator. It has been 2 months since it was put on & have 2-4 more to go. I have gained 1 inch in length & now can supinate, eat with that arm, touch top of my head. I am still in a great deal of discomfort & pain because the rods. I don't hardly sleep at night. I had to fly back to Texas 4 times since my surgery. It has hurt our pocket book!! I couldn't imagine that I'd gain so much from this surgery.

I got an infection in the top 3 pin sites last week & almost had to go back. I have had great support from my family. God has really watched over me on this one!!

I only missed one day of school. I am taking a math class at night.

The only thing is my back & neck is really hurting due to the extra weight I have on my arm.

Nice talking to you guys again!!

Hi Deanna,

I was told that you're from Alabama. So am I. I live in Gadsden. Did you check into the doctor at UAB that's listed on the medical resources? I was thinking about looking into seeing him.

Brandy

Girl we are almost neighbors. I have went to A LOT of doctors here in B'ham & no one could help me. They all wanted to leave it alone, had no clue or fuse it!!
I am so glad that I am not the only one from Bama!!

Deanna,

I have missed you here.
Glad to hear you are still recovering and experiencing good changes. I hope the pain gets less and less and that you will be able to sleep at night soon.

When do the pins come out? How much longer with the Lizarov?

Nancy

Nancy,

They said it would be on for 4-6 months. So I have 2-4 more to go. They say once they are removed the pain is instantly gone.

I know it takes 4 months for a humeral to heal. So I am looking at the earliest late June before it could be removed.

Deanna

Deanna

You can supinate now! Oh my goodness... that is the one motion I have always wanted... I think gaining all of these new motions will eventuall help with overuse on the unaffected side because you are more in balance.
Have the doctors said anything about it?

Kath

Thanks for the post Deanna it made me feel so relieved. I made a decision for my son when he was 7.5 years of age to have the humeral osteotomy. I thought it was right at the time and now you have confirmed that I did the right thing. I believed it before but you made me feel much better about it. He is unbelievable with what he can do in fact there is little he can't. I sincerely hope the pain ceases soon. Good luck Lyn

Kath:

No they haven't said anything about that. I will ask when I go back next week. There are some days that I don't think I'm going to make it & my family tells me I don't have a choice! lol

Lyn:

There are some days that I wonder why why why because of the pain & discomfort, but honestly I would do it again cause of all the things I can do.