Living with Brachial Plexus Injury

M20190204 011 PATIENT STORY CHARLES HANCOCK BOURKE FINAL CUT 08 10 20 VW

[verlustt]

I was born with a brachial plexus injury in my right arm. Along with making me left handed, which already made things somewhat harder, my left arm is 4 or 5 times stronger than my right one. It's nice to hear somebody else pushing through it.

[countsmyth]

I feel so lucky when reading the comments here. I'm 45 and was very active, cycling, kickboxing and jujitsu. I received an ac dislocation doing jujitsu 4 months ago. it required surgery with a plate insert. On removal of the plate I received a brachial plexus injury during the surgery. I woke up with a paralyzed arm. 6 weeks later I regained full motion in my arm, but there is muscle wastage and numbness still. They believe i will recover strength in 6 months and maybe sensation also. I'm just so happy my arm works again. I'm feeling blessed today, discharged from hospital yesterday. Sending love and admiration to everyone here suffering, I hope you all recover!

[chrishughes]

Hello buddy, I had a similar brachial plexus injury to my left arm in 1991 when I was 19. (Same, got knocked off a bike). And I am very glad to tell you, you got off more lightly with a useful recovery of the tricep ! Great ! I have about 25% use of the left arm and I've lived with it for a hell of a long time, but shoot through it all mate. Don't let it hold you up ! Cheers, Chris. (And I am glad to tell you, the first thing I bought when I got out of hospital was a new bike!)

[ChilliPhteven]

I’m just about to tick over a year since my mtb accident that caused my brachial plexus injury (among other serious injuries). It’s been 8 months since the nerve transfer and whilst I’m seeing some improvement I still can’t lift my arm yet. This story was inspirational as the last 12 months has been mentally and physically draining.

[alexcalisto]

I had that injury 20 years ago....I was 16 when it happened. I felt miserable after running all possible tests, earing from doctors that I would not move my arm ever again, I lost muscle mass, strength, motion, it was young and courageous I did not gave up....worked so hard every single day, using the most imaginable methods I could have think of and in 5 months I was back to my normal years later I still see and feel differences between arms and nothing more I can do....I became a carpenter and every time I think about those doctors I bang those nails harder advice keep working on it never give up....

[iamCrizInfinite]

My arm looks exactly like yours. I’m not alone, you are not alone. Let’s 💪 I’m currently healing from rotator cuff surgery. I’ve had a paralyzed right arm 4yrs now.

[RK-mlns]

I am 6 weeks into this injury sustained in the gym.
My life has completely fallen apart, my physical health has deteriorated rapidly to the point where seeing out the next twelve months looks unlikely.
This is a savage injury with no cure. Doctors are useless.

[wingsphysio]

Such a touching story of an incredibly positive young man! What an admirable survivor mentality 🙌

[olutobilobataiwo]

Still battling with mine, because I couldn't access needed treatment in my country Nigeria.
The needed physiotherapy medical device is not available.
I hope to recover someday and share my positive story as well though I'm still going for my physiotherapy appointment till now hoping for miracle someday...

[njoyingtube]

Inspirational ! Thanks for sharing your positivity . May your future be HEALTHY & HAPPY

[maconit]

Same broken right hand left brachial injury. Life is amazing and goes on.

[Fihaa]

Same injury due to a car accident, I got some comfort reading the comments!

[SimonAppsPhotographer]

Good to hear your positive story. I did the same thing in 1986. If only there was a treatment for the awful pain which occurs every few months.

[tequillashot]

I was knocked off my motorbike & had lots of serious injuries but I had a full avulsion of my brachial plexus. This happened in 2010 (11 years ago). Pain does get better over time but it’s always there & flair ups happen often. Best advice to anyone is get something to focus on. Retrain, get a job etc. distraction techniques work the best. I had 2 nerve transfer operations both failed. I do have hand / finger movement but no elbow or shoulder function. Nerve Pain relief still needs to advance massively

[Audball_]

I’ve had this since I was 6 years old in my right arm. Unfortunately I was not put in the right care, and my first surgeon, who I had for 4 years, performed malpractice on me and doomed me from any recovery. I’m 21 now and have zero movement still. I struggle daily but I know I’ll get through it. I’m happy to see others got the care they deserved and saw some recovery 🥲

[anderskarlsson]

I have the same injury after a motorcyclecrash when i was 18. Im 60 now and had i pretty good life so far. Still riding my bike and had many jobs that was not realy suitable for me but i pushed through. It really start to take a toll on my body now so be careful and save some for the old days. 😉

[followyoursoul]

i got this injury as a journeyman electrician and after 3 half years later a physical therapist found out that i have this. Something about this town i live in is scary!! I got no validation and shunned from the community. WTF i also got hung up on electricity a few years prior and got zero help with that also. Only just have a lingering concussion over here with no use of his arms over my head... no big deal at all. Ohh whats that you lost your oh and you cant work at all. this town! No one even believes that i am hurt. Sick people

[lilredscout]

my besties daugher. arm and leg and eye. thats how intense it was. she is amazing today about 15 years later with a kid. wonderful.

[clayn]

Mate you had the sort of care I dream of, nov 2018 i was involved in a hit n run on my way to my sons parents evening and the care I’ve received from waking up from 3 week coma in st Mary’s London has been horrific, still a on going battle to receive care which not helped by covid

[Tressy]

I have the same, since a few 8weeks i had some pain. I thought it’s just my shoulder. But more and more pain, they discover it by specialist , before i did powerlifting, and ice hockey, maybe it happend in hockey of skating, i fell down and did notice any pain, only few days later i had pain, until now i have no more strengh, i can’t hold properly an ice hockey stick, or etc, i can’t get my hand in strenght, i am sad because if goes fast. in few months from less to almost nothing or no more strenght and useage of hand / arm, i feel pain and sad. It is pfff / i hope it wil better, but i can’t work for moment … for +-2-3months i need to recover but it is hard, idk and the doctor doesnt know if it will better, yes but most of usage will be gone 😭. I’m scared, i’m 24, i love to play hockey, skating and now i can’t / why or how it happend idk 😖 / but i’m happy to see it can heal but i take long, but i can’t move at all, even i go to kine it doesn’t help really i hope it will better with the months 😰, i get support from friends and parents