Missing/Torn muscle SCI-Nurse please help

[Mac85]

When i had my accident in Wisconsin Aug, 09 I was at University of Wisconsin hospital and they have inserted an IV pick line in my right arm that went from where my arm bends to my chest. I believe that they have injured my pectoralis major muscle. I had terrible pain in my shoulder after the surgery and I still do. I thought that my right arm was more paralyzed until My massage therapist says that I'm missing that muscle, I cant pull my right elbow towards my body when laying down.
I want to contact a lawyer and take legal action.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated

[SCI-Nurse]

I am not sure that the PICC line caused your problem - I have not heard of it before, but that is not to say that it didn't. Your accident could have contributed to the issue. And are you sure that you are "missing" that muscle? That is something that is unusual, unless you have had surgery to have it removed.

I am by no means telling you to not contact a lawyer. They have the resources and experts that can help to tell you if you have a case or not. I am merely responding from my knowledge base and experience.

CKF

[rollin64]

when i had a picc in my right shoulder after accident in 01. my shoulder hurt like hell when it was in there and hurt for a couple years after they took it out. it finally quit after 2 or 3 yrs.

[Bonnette]

It would be really difficult to determine whether the accident, the PICC line or a combination of both was responsible for your pain and muscular atrophy - but nerve damage is one of the acknowledged risks of PICC placement. The damage might not be permanent, as rollin64's experience demonstrates.

While massage therapists know a lot about anatomy, there might be more to your pattern of injury than meets the eye - so I think it would be a good idea to see a physiatrist and/or neurologist for a more in-depth evaluation of your situation. Perhaps nerve conduction studies could help to zero in on the location of the damage (if not the direct cause). If you are contemplating legal action, you will need to have solid medical assessments, in any case.

[rollin64]

Originally Posted by Bonnette

It would be really difficult to determine whether the accident, the PICC line or a combination of both was responsible for your pain and muscular atrophy - but nerve damage is one of the acknowledged risks of PICC placement. The damage might not be permanent, as rollin64's experience demonstrates.

While massage therapists know a lot about anatomy, there might be more to your pattern of injury than meets the eye - so I think it would be a good idea to see a physiatrist and/or neurologist for a more in-depth evaluation of your situation. Perhaps nerve conduction studies could help to zero in on the location of the damage (if not the direct cause). If you are contemplating legal action, you will need to have solid medical assessments, in any case.

* Nerve Injury or Irritation: During insertion of the catheter, nearby nerves may get injured or irritated producing symptoms such as a shooting type of pain down the arm; numbness; tingling; pins and needles effect; weakness of extremity; or paralysis.*

from that site......

i think this is what happened to me. they said i was combative and pretty uncooperative when i was hospitalized so maybe they couldn't get it in just right.

[Bonnette]

Originally Posted by rollin64

i think this is what happened to me. they said i was combative and pretty uncooperative when i was hospitalized so maybe they couldn't get it in just right.

Very possible...and it can also happen in relatively calm, non-emergency situations (administration of IV chemo, for example). I am so glad that your pain finally resolved!

[Mac85]

Thank you very much for the input. When i had my accident the only thing i hit was my head, and i worked out pretty hard before my accident so I know that i didnt tear that muscle. Once that picc line was in at ICU I felt terrible pain, so after 3 weeks they took it out. A month later in rehab i got a UTI and they reinserted it and the pain was unbearable

[Debbie23]

I remember that when I was little my sock on my left leg would always fit a little more loose than my right leg.....but as I grew it has became more noticeable and I am starting to loose my security of myself . I hardly wear shorts because sometimes peaple tend to point out. I was wondering is there anything I can do so that I can regain my muscle?

[SCI-Nurse]

If the muscle is truly gone. then there is nothing that you can do to regain it. If on the other hand, it is just not working, then you may want to look at FES to help restimulate the muscle.

CKF