I'll try to answer what I can based on our experience (our daughter, Nicole, was 23 months and weighed 20 something lbs).
Approximately how much does the splint weigh?
I actually weighed Nicole with and w/o the splint at the Pediatrician's office and if I recall correctly, it was only about 1 lb - very lightweight.
Does the splint increase the circumference of the arm by alot?
It does increase the circumference of the arm. I bought shirts a couple sizes bigger. I was able to use long-sleeved shirts and most of the arm was okay, but where we had a problem with sometimes was at the wrist area b/c that's made smaller on most shirts. I did take the stitching out of a few shirts (at the wrist -- then either folded it down or sewed on a velcro fastener to increase the circumference at that point). For putting shirts on, we do: L (BP) arm first, then the head, R (non-BP) arm last (just the opposite for removing)
If the child has to wear the splint 24/7 for 4 weeks, how does the incision heal because it won't get air to it?
Well, there are airholes in the splint and then there's padding inside the splint too. Plus, we were instructed (in March 01) to remove the splint (while maintaining Nicole's arm in the splinted position) daily to care for the incision (change the dressing, eventually to do scar massage, etc.) We were also to do certain, but not all, PROM exercises. These instructions might have changed since then and sometimes vary by child, so best to ask TCH.
Do you do ROM exercises during the 4 weeks and should we continue our EI therapy visits during that time?
Again, we did some PROM as per instructions, but that might be different now. You might want to arrange to have your EI therapist come 1-2x during the month to help with getting around in the splint. That's what we usually do, we just cut it down to 1-2x/month. Plus, it keeps your child familiar with them and lets them feel that the therapist is there b/c they like them and that just b/c they have a splint on doesn't mean the therapist doesn't want to come over (well, this is my logic anyway!).
Anyone who had a child having the surgery before they could walk, how frustrated did they get because they couldn't get around?
Nicole could walk before the MQ so I don't know if I can help you there. That might be more reason to have EI keep coming though (esp. a PT if she gets PT now). I will tell you though that Nicole just had the Capsulodesis surgery in Dec and is still wearing her splint and she often tries crawling with the splint on. I never would've expected that esp. since she doesn't crawl all that much anymore anyway since she can walk so well.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm the type who handles things better armed with information!
You never have to apologize for asking too many ?s here and I agree, it's much better to be equipped with info. Great ?s, btw!
Also, for more info, if you go to
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html, you can read about Maia's experiences with the Mod Quad. There's also some great info. on there about TCH / travel info. etc.
There were also some recent posts that discussed car seats in great detail and other MQ related topics. Here are the topics and the dates of the latest posts. Just go back few pages here:
"Mod Quad" (1/15/02)
"Mod Quad continued" (1/16/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats" (1/18/02)
"Going to TCH & car seats Part II" (1/20/02)
I hope this helps and I hope the surgery goes well. Email me if you'd like. -Tina