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How to Choose a Brachial Plexus Center

The Brachial Plexus Center specialists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center understand that you want the best possible care for your child's brachial plexus injury -- and as quickly as possible. To help, here are some questions to consider when choosing a Brachial Plexus Center:

  • What types of specialists make up the Brachial Plexus Center medical team?
    The Brachial Plexus Center at Cincinnati Children's is one of only a few centers in the country that offers a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnose and treat your child's brachial plexus injury.

    Each patient is thoroughly evaluated by specialists in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Occupational and Physical Therapy and Pediatric Rehabilitation. In addition, the team Social Worker is available for support and advice.
  • How extensive is the medical team's knowledge of brachial plexus injuries?
    The Brachial Plexus team at Cincinnati Children's has advanced training in a variety of areas, allowing the team members to provide the best approach, or combination of approaches, in the treatment of brachial plexus injuries.
  • How much experience does the medical team have in treating brachial plexus injuries?
    Our physician team has over 68 years of combined experience treating children with brachial plexus injuries.
  • Does the Brachial Plexus Center treat all types of brachial plexus injuries?
    The Brachial Plexus team at Cincinnati Children's treats all types of brachial plexus injuries, including birth and traumatic injuries, no matter the age of the child.
  • What types of treatment options are offered for brachial plexus injuries?
    The specialists at Cincinnati Children's use a combination of techniques to treat brachial plexus injuries, including family input to determine the best treatment approach for each child.

    Microsurgical nerve repair may be undertaken as early as 3-6 months of age. Our surgeons also perform nerve transfers, tendon transfers, arthroscopic releases, muscle transfers, osteotomies, and other secondary surgeries. Non-surgical intervention may include home program exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, orthotic fabrication, botox treatment, and aquatic therapy.
  • Does the Brachial Plexus Center practice evidence-based care?
    At Cincinnati Children's, we practice evidence-based pediatric care. This means the care and treatment we provide to our patients and families is based on the best scientific information and medical practices.
  • Will the medical team help coordinate my child's care with our pediatrician or family doctor?
    The Brachial Plexus Center team at Cincinnati Children's maintains consistent communication with your referring physician. The medical team also helps facilitate coordinated care for your child by writing referrals for specific therapies or treatment and communicating with the local caregivers providing the recommended services.
  • Is the Brachial Plexus Center actively involved in research?

    The Brachial Plexus Center at Cincinnati Children's is actively involved in clinical research to advance the quality and effectiveness of care of children with brachial plexus injuries. We are pleased to have an active research program. 

    Our research includes:

    • Laboratory basic science research focusing on the growth of muscles and the preservation of muscle tissue
    • Multiple clinical studies related to surgical outcomes, testing, and additional interventions
    • Participation in two multi-center studies working with colleagues at other facilities.
    In addition, the following material has been published:
    • Foad SL, Mehlman CT, Ying J. The epidemiology of neonatal brachial plexus palsy in the United States. JBJS. 90:1258-1264, 2008 Jun.
    • Schmitt C, Mehlman C, Meiss AL: Hyphenated History: Erb-Duchene Brachial Plexus Palsy. Am J Orthop. 2008; 37(7):356-358
    • Little-Hayes P, Allgier A, Klein A: Embracing the Spirt of Inquiry - Creating an Evidence-Based Guideline for Using Constraint Induced Movement Therapy. OT Practice 2007, Vol 12, No 18.
    • Mehlman C: Orthopaedics: Upper extremity problems. M. Hostetter, G. Lister, & Norman Seigel (Eds). Rudolph's pediatrics, 21st edition, pp. 2447-2448. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division, 2003.
    • Michaud L: Electrical Stimulation In Children. Physical Medicine & Rehab: State of the Art Reviews 2000, Vol 14, No 2.
  • Does the Brachial Plexus Center practice family-centered care?
    Family-centered care is incorporated into every aspect of the clinical and research practice at Cincinnati Children's. We believe that family education and involvement are the most important aspects of treatment.
  • Is the institution recognized nationally and/or internationally?
    Cincinnati Children's is a national leader in pediatrics. The Brachial Plexus Center team has built a reputation of excellence characterized by integrity, innovation and respect.

    Cincinnati Children's has again been named among the 10 best pediatric hospitals in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. In 2008, Cincinnati Children's ranked 3rd in Pediatrics among the more than 250 children's hospitals in the United States.
  • Does the hospital provide on-site help and resources for families?
    The Brachial Plexus Center team includes a consistent social worker who is available to offer support and advice to each of our patients and their families during clinic visits.  In addition, Cincinnati Children's offers support through our Guest Services area assisting families traveling from outside the Greater Cincinnati area in making travel and lodging arrangements when they bring a child to Cincinnati Children's for care.

    Cincinnati Children's also offers many on-site facilities such as the Family Resource Center, which provides personal, comprehensive, up-to-date assistance for patients and their families. The Family Resource Center staff offers the most current information in response to questions related to diagnoses, medical conditions or procedures.