My son broke his Arm, now has nerve damage starts P/T monday 3x week. I'm scared he won't get motion back.

Question

How do I handle this and tell him? He can't squeeze his hand or move his thumb or bring his wrist towards him. Can only bend his arm in about a 30 degree angle. I'm worried and scared for him

My Son is 7 and a very emtional boy, strong and tuff too

Ok sorry more detail. He broke his elbow. stretched the nerve had to wait 19hrs before a surgeon was available. Bone heeled great. Can't bend elbow yet either.

Answer 1

Don't get upset until he goes through P/T. I know that's easier said then done. See how he does and go from there. He needs YOU to be strong for him.

I'm not saying this to make you upset or even more nervous than you already are, but it's a win-lose story. I severely broke my left arm when i was 9yrs. I fell off a trampoline and completely cracked the bone in two places. I had nerve damage (couldn't move my fingers or wrist) and couldn't turn my arm over (so palm was up)or move my pinky. I went to P/T for about 6ms and got a lot of the motion back but wasn't able to turn my arm over. Over the years of growing up I went to P/T here and there and each time got it to turn over a tiny bit here and there. This was all in the 80s and 90s. I'm not almost 35yrs and still can't turn it over. Now a days they have better doctors, better equipment and better exercises.

Remember that he's still young and growing so he has a good chance of going back to normal. Stay strong, think positive, do research and talk to doctors about all your options together. Make sure he knows all that you know. Best Wishes, good luck and hope everything turns out ok =]

Answer 2

It all depends on where the nerve damage occured and where the break occured.

If the lack of movement is solely because of the nerve damage, as long as the nerve was not damaged at the root (more in the shoulder/spinal cord area) and it is not still impinged, he should regain movement. Even if it was cut with the break, peripheral nerves do grow back at the rate of about 1mm a month (the kind of nerve that would be in his arm - versus a spinal cord injury). Meaning it can be a long process, but if he is otherwise healthy, it will heal.

On the other hand, if the lack of movement is because of a contracture (which can happen after a period of non-movement when a joint tightens up), it can be dealt with relatively quickly through some passive and active range of motion programs. If is is a bony contracture (the joint has basically calcified which I doubt unless he did not heal well) that is harder to deal with.

Basically, you will know if it is the nerve versus a contracture if you can passively move his arm the rest of the way. Meaning, if you can bend his elbow all of the way for him. And there is always the possibility that it is both. -- OK, missed the part about hand movement too somehow - So it is definitely nerve damage...

So, I know that is not a great answer. Just some additional information that the physician may have given you. His PT will be able to tell you more specifically what you can expect.

Answer 3

I am sorry that this has happened. Children usually bounce back pretty good. You will be surprised. Just encourage him to do everything he is told to do. Give him rewards for doing so, because I am sure it will be painful when he first starts therapy.

I know how you feel. I am a mother of a child who has been through many surgeries and lots of theropy. My son had trigger tumbs and they had to release the tendons that were causing the problem. He had to have therapy to help the mobility in his hand and we were told he would not gain complete mobility. He gained most of it back, but he still has a bit of loss. He has adapted well, and you can bearly tell that he has a problem.

He has also had three surgeries on his head to correct the suture bones that were malformed when he was born. I know your pain and it is OK to cry. You are a mother, you have earned that right.

Take gare and God be with you.

Answer 4

I work in Physical Therapy and all I can say to you is relax and sit back and be amazed, there are so many advances today in the field of Physical Therapy that every week I am so excited when we see how much our patients are accomplishing in the goals we set for them. It might take a while but don't give up hope.

Answer 5

don't tell him until there is no chance of it improving any more. Make sure he does his exercises that the physio gives him. Don't let him worry. He will build it up to be worse that it might be. Imagine how worried you are...do you want him to go through this? It may make him decide not to bother with physio because "what's the point". Wait till the end of P/T

Answer 6

Most kid have an amazing ability to heal. Just follow the advice of the therapist, like if they tell you to do exercises at home, follow them to the letter. I know several people that do not do this and still have problems later on.

Answer 7

You have to tell him like it is. Say something like "Honey, you now that you're having trouble moving your elbow, right? Well, it might not get better, but we're going to work really hard and do as much as we can to try to make your arm all better." You didn't say his age, so it might differ depending on his maturity.

Good luck! Update me if you can. I'd like to know how it goes.

Answer 8

The physical therapy is to help him get his range of motion back. Don't start panicing until there is something to panic about. Make sure he follows instructions of his doctors and therapists.

Answer 9

The physiotherapist is really the best person to tell you what recovery is likely.

It is impossible to tell you what may happen without being able to see the damage.