Three nerves were transplanted to BP nerve bundle (neck/collarbone) in an attempt to repair damage and stop arm atrophy and hand numbness probably caused by anesthetic arm block for rotator cuff surgery last May. (Block was performed via neck.) Bicep, part of triceps have all but disappeared. Inside of lower arm and parts of hand are atrophying as well. Have learned to eat with left hand. Literature says can happen from an accidental needle stick into BP nerve in neck during anesthetic injection as well as pushing anesthetic too close to-and poisoning nerve bundle or causing a blood clot constricting nerve. RC surgery itself seems to be successful, but damage caused by arm block is crippling, disfiguring and life changing. As a 75 yo man, I could bench press my weight and curl 45lbs. Now , at 77, I can’t curl 8 lbs.
Hopefully, this surgery at neck/collarbone are, is able to revive electrical signals to my arm. Part of the arm is fine, but about half is damaged. Thumb and first 3 fingers are completely numb. Upper arm was 17 inches, now about 13. I was able to stay active in the gym, lifting weights and walking until this happened. Can’t exercise upper body much or worse, play guitar.
If you are a candidate for rotator cuff surgery, refuse the arm block. Get the deep anesthesia I recommend. Literature from various studies show most cases of BP nerve damage resolve before 6 months. Stats all over the place. Some studies say occurrence 1-3% while 2% resolve within 6 months. I read one yesterday that said occurs 24% of the time, but most resolve within 72 hrs. Another admitted not many studies and too few cases examined. I’m the unlucky statistic.