Archive for hand and upper extremity
Answers for parents whose baby is born with brachial plexus injury
Between one and three of every 1,000 babies is born with brachial plexus birth injury. The injury, which may be minor or severe, can impair movement and sensation in a baby’s arm. Because brachial plexus injuries take place during birth, usually without warning, the news leaves many new parents at a loss for what to ... Read More about Answers for parents whose baby is born with brachial plexus injury
COVID-19 and surgery: Lessons in safety
When Massachusetts recorded its first COVID-19-positive test result in early March 2020, health officials knew little about the virus. They didn’t know, for instance, how it was transmitted or how to protect patients and clinicians during surgical procedures. In the weeks that followed, Boston Children’s Hospital made several difficult but necessary decisions. We cancelled elective ... Read More about COVID-19 and surgery: Lessons in safety
Diving deep: Understanding skeletal conditions with fish models
From fragile ice fish deep in the Antarctic Ocean to flying fish gliding above the Caribbean sea, fish have evolved a fascinating variety of skeletal traits. These traits not only help them adapt to their environments, they are also providing genetic insights into rare human skeletal disorders. Fish are not as genetically different from us ... Read More about Diving deep: Understanding skeletal conditions with fish models
Returning to the stage after cubital tunnel syndrome
Bruno Silva can’t imagine his life without music. He has been playing bass guitar since he was 12 years old and performs at least once a week, often more. Born in Japan to Brazilian parents, Bruno has lived and performed in England, Brazil, Spain and the United States. He started out playing along to bands ... Read More about Returning to the stage after cubital tunnel syndrome
The mystery of Jane’s left shoulder: Acute flaccid myelitis
When 5-year-old Jane Morehead tumbled off her bike in May 2017, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Jane’s dad was with her at the time, and both of them considered the fall a minor one. The whole family was surprised, therefore, when Jane had pain in her left shoulder the next day. At an ... Read More about The mystery of Jane’s left shoulder: Acute flaccid myelitis
What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
When it comes to orthopedic injuries, sports are usually talked about as high-risk activities, but it’s not often we consider the risk that musicians take when playing an instrument for hours every day. Musicians can get overuse injuries the same way that athletes do, and are at risk for neck and back injuries, as well ... Read More about What parents of musicians should know about upper extremity injuries
Football and family: Overcoming brachial plexus birth palsy
Chase is only a few months away from fulfilling a lifelong dream; playing college football. It’s a dream thousands of other kids across the country will be living out this fall — but they aren’t like Chase. “The first time I saw Chase was in 2000,” says Dr. Peter Waters, Orthopedic Surgeon-in-Chief and director of the Brachial ... Read More about Football and family: Overcoming brachial plexus birth palsy
Study: Children with upper limb differences have better emotional health
A recent study found that while children with upper limb differences have lower upper limb function, some form better peer relationships and have more positive emotional states compared to population norms.
‘Going for it’ with a congenital hand difference
“People ask me if it’s harder to do certain things, and I always tell them, ‘I don’t know, this is all I’ve ever had.’” Despite being born with symbrachydactyly — a condition in which the middle three fingers of her left hand never fully developed — 12-year-old Ashley makes most things look easy. She runs ... Read More about ‘Going for it’ with a congenital hand difference