Amputation for neuropathic pain after Brachial Plexus Injury
Anyone have amputation of their arm after brachial plexus injury and reconstruction for neuropathy? Been in constant pain for 8 years and have tried many treatments without quality relief?
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Hello @12165008021954, I can only imagine the amount of pain your husband had endured in 8 years of constant pain. I know it has to be a difficult decision to make on whether or not to have the amputation to relieve the pain. I don't know if this article will be helpful but it does discuss what you and your husband are facing.
--- Complete Brachial Plexus Injury - An Amputation Dilemma. A Case Report:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5393136/.
Is your husband able to use the arm with the injury or does that increase the level of pain?
He does not have use of his arm.
Hello @12165008021954. I am so sorry your husband has been going through this. I don't know if it is of any interest or not at this stage, however, I did find information that I wanted to share: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-surgical-options-to-treat-brachial-plexus-injuries/
Have you been offered any surgical options in the last 8 years? What treatments has he tried?
He has had all the reconstructive surgeries with not much success. He has no use of the arm and struggles with pain on a daily basis.
I would hope that he has received some psychotherapy in these Ishtar years to help him deal with the pain. I believe Mindfulness Meditation might be beneficial along with therapy. Unfortunately amputation of the limb does not guarantee a pain free existence for him.
A long time ago, as a new Occupational Therapist at a major teaching hospital in Boston, I met a young patient who had a brachial plexus injury due to a bike accident. He had no use of the arm and eventually did choose amputation AND was committed to serious rehab inpatient, then ongoing outpatient, to learn one-handed techniques (self care, everyday living, and job skills) and be fitted for and learn to use a prosthetic device successfully.
I suggest making an appointment with a Physiatrist (a specialist in rehabilitation) and see how it goes. For best results, your son would need to be committed to doing the rehab and finding a way to go to a large well-recommended rehab facility, the large ones have lots of experience in amputation rehab.
My husband is 72 years old and keeps active. He has adjusted to no use to his left arm, the neuropathic pain is the issue.