Spinal Cord Injury
Sean

In Sean’s Own Words

“I chose Dr. Brown because I found that he was the best surgeon for this type of injury. I was very fortunate that he was here in town when I decided to move forward with these procedures.”

After a cervical spine injury left Sean a C5-C6 quadriplegic, he underwent multiple surgeries to improve triceps and hand function.

In September of 2001, I broke my neck playing high school football in the third week of my senior year. This left me as a C5-C6 quadriplegic. I was competitive, skilled and in good shape before the injury. Afterwards, I felt incomplete.

Rehab was very helpful and taught me how to do the daily tasks again: cleaning, bathing, cooking, easting, all the little stuff you’ve taken for granted when you could just easily open a refrigerator and pick something up. However, I always felt that I was capable of more and began to explore my options.

Twelve years into my injury, I finally decided to pull the trigger and have nerve and tendon transfer surgery. My research to find the best possible solution led me to Dr. Justin Brown.

At our initial appointment, he explained everything to me and discussed anything I was concerned about. I basically said, “Here’s my arm. Give me as much function as possible without losing as much as possible.” We then figured out a game plan that would not only restore some functional movements in my right hand but also give me some tricep function as well.

During the nerve transfer, Dr. Brown took a nerve from the back of my left leg and used it to lengthen the nerves in my triceps. This allows me the ability to fully straighten my right arm out as I hold it over my head. Next, he did a nerve transfer in my wrist so I can now move my index finger and thumb, giving me a lot more dexterity. As a result of the tendon transfer he did in my forearm, I now have a strong pinch between my thumb and index finger. This allows me to open the refrigerator door and expand my hand just enough to put it around something and grasp it.

I notice daily activities are a bit easier for me. Now, when I reach over to grab something like a cookie or a drink, I can actually pick it up with one hand instead of having to use both. Also, I can now lock my arm out above my head, allowing me to reach for something on a higher shelf. It’s the little things that have made such a huge difference in my life.

I chose Dr. Brown because I found that he was the best surgeon for this type of injury. I was very fortunate that he was here in town when I decided to move forward with these procedures.

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The story above is paraphrased, not directly quoted. The intended meaning has been preserved.