The Brachial Plexus Program at Children’s National is focused on caring for children with birth-related and traumatic brachial plexus injuries from infancy through adolescence. Our multidisciplinary team of experts is committed to providing comprehensive assessments and coordinated care in one location.
Meet the Team
Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.
Contact Information
To schedule an appointment in the Brachial Plexus Clinic, please call us at 202-476-3082.
A brachial plexus injury is an injury to the system of nerves that controls the movement of your shoulder, arm and hand. The injury occurs when the nerves are stretched, damaged or torn. A brachial plexus injury typically occurs as a stretch injury during birth. However these injuries are also common in contact sports, falls or auto accidents. We treat all forms of brachial plexus injuries including:
- Neonatal/birth-related brachial plexus palsy
- Traumatic brachial plexus palsy
- Peripheral nerve tumors affecting the upper extremities
Choosing Children’s National for Brachial Plexus Care
- Early intervention. We specialize in early recognition and early treatment of brachial plexus injuries to minimize complications for newborns and children and maximize function.
- Ease of comprehensive care. We bring together clinicians from various specialties, including Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery so patients and families can be evaluated and advised comprehensively on the same day by all members of the care team.
What is Brachial Plexus Palsy?
About one to two in 1,000 full-term newborns experience brachial plexus palsy. Some injuries can be due to traumas or accidents. The majority of occurrences, though, are due to injury to the nerve roots, or nerves to the arm, typically during the birthing process.
Treatment Options
Our team offers many treatment options for patients with brachial plexus injury to optimize outcomes. Treatment options include:
- Occupational therapy to support achievement of developmental milestones, engagement in play and fine motor tasks, and participation in educational and recreational activities. Specific treatments may include:
- Braces and splints
- Constraint-induced movement therapy
- Taping
- Electrical stimulation
- Botulinum toxin injections to address muscular imbalance across the shoulder and arm
- Neurosurgery focusing on surgical repair of nerve damage with nerve grafting and transfers
- Orthopedic surgery focusing on contracture release or tendon/muscle transfers
Locations
Main Hospital
- Specialty Care
- Emergency Care
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