Clinical details about my injury

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I ruptured my C5 and C6 nerves - from what I have been told, these are the usual nerves affected in motorcycle accidents. C7 was initially damaged as the MRI reported, but luckily it was just a pull and quickly recovered.

My C5 is supposed to be post ganglionic, but the supraspinatus nerve was affected as well.

I lost elbow flexion and arm abduction. This is, I couldn't move the arm but I could move my wrist and fingers. Sensation, however not as before, remained in the respective areas. Some doctors believe some fibers survived hence I conserved sensitivity, others mentioned sensory nerves can sometimes be innervated by different nerves.

Pain wise, it was excruciating. C7 nerve pain while reconnecting wouldn't let me sleep. C6 sensory area was like having your skin on fire. This lasted for about 2 months, then the pain was more manageable.

MRI done 1.5 months after the accident was very clear about the damage. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed 1 and 2 months after the accident. Reflected no activity in the affected muscles on both occasions.

Eventually I had the following procedure:

  • Double Oberlin transfer to recover elbow flexion
  • Somsak transfer to recover arm abduction
  • Accessory nerve transfer to recover the supraspinatus nerve associated muscles.
I had my surgery 3 months on the dot after the accident, performed in Thailand by Dr. Somsak Leechavengvongs and Dr. Kanchai Malungpaishrope. In my opinion, amazing professionals and exemplary human beings.

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