Following your injury you will have many questions. Below are a few frequently asked questions.
Please contact the team if you require any further information.
Can I have a bath or shower?
If you have not had nerve grafts taken from your legs then as long as you do not get the dressing wet on your arm you can have a shallow bath.
What happens if my dressings get wet?
If your dressings get wet then please phone either the dressing clinic (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday) or the ward (4:30pm to 8:30am Monday to Friday and Weekends). They will be able to advise you on what to do.
What happens if I am worried about my wound?
If you are concerned about your wounds then please phone either the dressing clinic (08.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or the ward (4.30pm to 08.30am Monday to Friday & Weekends). They will be able to advise you on what to do.
When can I return to work?
This depends on your job and also on the extent of your injury and you will need to discuss this with any of the brachial plexus team. After the strapping is removed at 4 weeks you are unlikely to do any harm to your plexus or to the surgery that has been performed. However, the movement and sensation of your arm will be the same as it was immediately before the operation. This is a result of the length of time it takes for the nerves to grow. If you are unable to return to your previous job or your employer is unable to provide alternative work there are a number of supportive organisations that you can contact, which are listed on this website.
When can I return to sports and hobbies?
This will depend on your injury and also the sport and hobbies you wish to return to. You will need to discuss this with a member of the medical team.
How long will it take for nerves to recover?
New nerves have to grow from the neck, down the brachial plexus, past the injury site and through the nerves into the upper limb to reach the muscles and sensory receptors. Nerves grow at an average of 1mm per day but will take longer to grow through the nerve grafts and across the sites of repair.
As the nerve starts to recover you will initially get a twitch of your muscle. At this stage you will be informed of how to strengthen this muscle by the physiotherapists. Recovery of your nerves and the rehabilitation of your arm can take from several months to several years.