Dubious, I was afraid to hear that, as that's what I've been reading about as of late. Nerve transfers and the time-frame they need to occur in. 4-6 month from onset. My Surgeon has been boondoggling me the last 6 months just telling me to wait... it takes time for nerves to heal. (1mm/day) And I have very long arms. 2cnd NCV & EMG test Dr says nerve damage is more than likely permanent at this time. My Surgeon dismisses this as "it's too early to tell". I'm befuddled at the handling of my case to this point with him! I currently have 2 law firms digging in and asking me for more data, although I'm still searching for one that does have a specialty in trail law as well. As I now believe, this Surgeon has breached my "Standard of Care" in a number of ways at this point!! Still looking for new specialist to determine if I am outside the repair time frame.

I should probably also mention that diagnosis electrically, can be indirect with EMG but you would likely need more specific tests for a plexus injury which is done by virtue of SSEP's. You would have that test done for each suspected peripheral nerve (i.e. radial, axillary, musculocutaneous, etc.) and then compare to the opposite non-symptomatic side. EMG is better than nothing but not good enough, really, so SSEP's are the way to go. NCV is another test and should be done, but is technically limited as you can't access the nerve proximal to the suspected lesion. I think it would be worthwhile to find someone like Stevanovic out your way, get a consult post-haste and wait no longer! You are likely going to have to get pro-active with this if you hope to have it go your way.

Dubious,

Thanks for that feedback. The horrible thing with my NCV & EMG testing so far, is that it leaves my arm in near constant shooting pain down the arm. This has happened right after my last two tests.The first test took about 2 moths to heal from. I'm still getting above the normal day-to-day pains associated with my arm after my last one on Sept 17th. Have you ran across this before?

Best Regards, Curt

Well, Received call from my original Neurosurgeon last evening by phone. He told me the MRI was "negative" after two different reads. One being "his specialist" The neuro-pathways are there in tact he said.. I stated that we know the "pathways" are intact via the NCV test results.(duh) I did state that MRI's have been shown to be in-conclusive in diagnosing the type of injury symptoms I'm having. I had to push him farther as to the next step, (i.e. different imaging/SSEP's) I stated that we both agree that my arm/shoulder as some serious issues. He concurred, and offered to refer me to the "Best" guy he knows in NC, Head of Neurosurgery over at Duke Medical. I'll take the referral I guess, but my trust in him is pretty much non-existent at this time. Talk about feeling like a rat in a cage just now!

I sent you a PM (see the upper righthand corner of your screen, just below where you log in).

MRI's are anatomic tests so the "pathways" would look intact even on a cadaver! NCV, while a very sensitive test, is more for peripheral nerve injury and not plexus disorder. Really SSEP is better suited for that, although not perfect. And there are no needles associated with it (thought you would like that). I have had all of these tests, BTW, I had shoulder arthroscopy (in addition to C5-6 discectomy/fusion) where the surgeon permanently damaged my plexus, resulting in significant "issues" including CRPS. I get it!

All, Here's the latest in my continuing saga.

I met with Neurosurgeons Dr. Sanders & Dr. Annest at Vascular Institute of the Rockies in Dec, 2014. After examination and EMG testing, Dr. Sanders stated that although I didn't have TOS, there was a procedure (Pec Minor Release) that should help with my range of motion. I scheduled the procedure and Dr. Annest performed the surgery a week later. I did gain about 45 degrees of lateral movement in my right arm/shoulder post surgery, however I have not experienced any reduction in regards to my severe chronic pain. I'm now 8 months post "Pec Minor Release" and 19 months since my initial ACDF surgery that caused my Brachial Plexus injury. I have gained some ROM & muscle mass back in my arm & shoulder but nowhere near where I was before this ordeal started. I'm currently working with my Dr. in trying to manage my chronic pain. I've been taking muscle relaxers, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Oxycodone & Oxycontin for the burning, twitching, itching, numbness & shooting pains. I've still yet to find an attorney that is willing to take on my potential malpractice case. I just don't understand how I can end up with a Brachial Plexus injury from a cervical surgery that supposedly went "fine". Talk about frustration on an epic scale!