musculocutaneus nerve injury?

[racerboy]

Hi-
New member here. I posted this in the Muscles & Bones section as well. I was in a serious motorcycle accident on 9/21. I broke my right radius, tibia, fibula, and scapula. Orthopedic surgeon inserted a rod in my tibia and fixed the radius with a plate and screws. Told me that the fibula and scapula will heal themselves. My recovery is going fine except that I cannot lift my right arm. My tricep works fine, but the bicep does not seem to flex very much (just a tiny bit when I hold arm in sling). I had additional MRIs taken to rule out rotator cuff injury. Arm is still swollen from accident. I have some numbness in my thumb, but am told that may be from the radius surgery. The numbness has significantly decreased since I came out of hospital, but there is still some there. The thumb itself also suffered injury in the accident (I think the bone is bruised). In hospital, they did MRI of brachial plexus and told me everything looked ok (no evulsions, tear, etc.) I have an appt. with a neurologist in two weeks and was just curious what I might expect and what kind of rehabilitation /surgery was available.

Sorry for the long post.

Frank

[dmongking]

Dear Racerboy,

Sorry to hear about your accident. From your description of your recent injury last September, what you can expect is that the Neurologist will evaluate your nerve and motor function during your visit. He may do an EMG (Electromyogram) among other tests. If you do not have a brachial plexus injury, you will eventually recover with rehabilitation. This involves physical therapy, non-steroidal medications and pain medications. There is still swelling right now at the affected extremity and numbness is understandable. What concerns me is that you are unable to lift your arm. This needs to be investigated further as it may be a sign of a brachial plexus injury. Time will tell with physical therapy and the strategies I described.

[racerboy]

Thank you. If it is a brachial plexus injury, is there anything they can do? Also, how does such an injury occur? I have no memory of the accident, but the broken bones were caused by my impacting a gaurdrail. Should I make sure that the MRIs of my brachial plexus (thats what the hospital told me they were taking pictures of) as well as my shoulder are sent to neurologist?

[dmongking]

Dear Racerboy,

I would make sure all the tests that were done to you be sent to the neurologist.

Do not panic as of yet. We do not know if this is a brachial plexus injury. Let the neurologist follow your condition and examine you.

Brachial plexus injuries can be caused by accidents such as yours.

I hope everything will turn out fine. Let me know. But keep on top of this.

[bobtisoy]

Hi racerboy,

I wish you all the best of health::p

Try to read this link it might help in a way:

http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/08/04/bicep-muscle-not-working/

[racerboy]

Hi everyone- finally had my EMG test done this week. The test was two parts - electrical stimulus and insertion of needles into my muscles to 'listen' for irratation. The neurologist did not belive that there was any permanent nerve damage. He said there was still a lot of irritation in the muscles but he thought any nerve trauma would resolve itself.

He, along with multiple physical therapists that I have been working with, seemed to think that the 'full thickness tear' of my supraspinatus (I've attached MRI report) was going to require surgery, and is related to my inabilty to lift my arm at the shoulder. He was going to speak to my orthopedic surgeon who didn't seem that alarmed by MRI report. Maybe he was just waiting for EMG to be done?

Appreciate any feedback on MRI report.

I am walking with a cane now. Dr. was very impressed with my bone healing. Still can't flex the bicep.

Thanks,
Frank

[bobtisoy]

Hello racerboy,

Happy to hear that!
I wish you the best in your road to recovery!
Keep us posted always!:p