Amputation for neuropathic pain after Brachial Plexus Injury

Posted by 12165008021954 @12165008021954, Feb 25, 2023

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?

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@johnbishop

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?

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He does not have use of his arm.

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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?

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@amandajro

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?

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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.

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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.

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@12165008021954

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.

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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.

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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.

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