United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I had surgery for a TBPI in May05 and had very little firing in bicep tripcep lats and even less than that in the serratus anterior or traps. I had my accident 1/3/04. It was severe and I mean severe whiplash. It streched and scarred my LTN so badly at first the EMG results made all the neruos think I had a severed LTN. I went to New Orleans to see Dr.Klein after seeing about 4 neurosurgeons in Birmingham,Al who all said nothing could be done from the EMG results. My muscles and I mean all muscles atrophied from not enough nerve conduction and I could move my arm although I had severe pain. I finally went to Dr.Nath and I am whole now. NO WINGING WHATSOVER OR PAIN FROM THE LTN INJURY NOW!!!!!!!!! I could kiss him...lol. I also ended up talking to a woman whos LTN was cut during a mastectomy who had surgery with Nath on the same day as me who lives in florida and we keep in touch she is doing great and also cant say enough about Dr.Nath. To all TBPI or just BPI patients give Dr.Nath a call. He will talk to you just by phone respond to email within hours and his office will do everything in their power to make insurance pay the 48 grand or so it costs...my insurance paid. He settled for what they paid him. I just cant say enough...I have my life back. The trip to Houston is worth it. There are programs his office can tell you about if you cant afford to fly or pay for hotel..it can be done. I hope you all get the success I did. Amy

My son who is 20 now. Had his surgery done by Dr. Nath in Dec. 2004. He did a great job and started seeing results in just a coulpe of months after the surrgery.


Best of Luck

hello, my brother(28) had his surgery on 1/6/2006 -Dr.Nath was really great C5-6-7 were avulaged(?)--2 hospitals prior said they weren't-also my brothers leg was badly injured in his accident on 06/06/2005--Dr. Nath even made arrangements for someone there to look at my brothers leg-- the EMG & MRI done for the leg and arm was the most extensive look yet to get the info needed --he is a great doctor with alot of compassion--insurance turned down Dr.Nath 1 time but on appeal with my brother explaining a brachial plexus injury to commitee they approved(their understanding is the arm is just numb-they have no idea the arm is paralyzed and surgery can undo some damage)

As far as I can see, after studying this injury and all things related to it for years, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester seems to be at the (pardon the pun...!)..cutting edge of TBPI surgery at the moment in the U.S. and have had some huge successes with previously 'inoperable' traumatic injuries.

I have never read or heard a bad word said against the surgeons, Spinner, Bishop and Shin, and all three of them regularly take part in International Symposia where the worlds best BPI surgeons and experts gather to share new techniques and results from follow up studies. This in itself shows their dedication to bringing the best skills possible to help their patients.

If cost is a problem, I do believe they are far more reasonable in their charges, but not being from the U.S and lucky enough not to have to pay, I wouldn't have first hand experience of this. I am sure that others on here will be able to give you more details and help.

All the best...let us know how you get on.

Lizzyf

A couple more thoughts about Mayo. In 2005 Dr. Alex Shin was awarded the Brunnell Fellowship, which allowed him to travel extensively throughout the world meeting with eminent bpi surgeons in other countries, and learning from them. He's brought that knowledge back to the Mayo team.

Also, in my experience - since Mayo is non-profit, their costs are more reasonable that the for profit centers. Our insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ga) was able to work with their counterpart (BCBS-MN) to treat expenses as in-network. Finally, if cost is still a factor there may be options for charity.

Re cutting edge, when John had his surgery there three years ago, Mayo was the first in the US to do a phrenic transfer. By now I think the team has done over a hundred gracilis transfers - and of course there is the advantage of the three primary doctors working together but having different specialties (ortho, hand, neuro).

I hope everyone will put them on their short list of clinics to consider!

Take care,

Ellen

Yes, with Liz and Yes with Ellen! I researched my butt and wallet off to find the best and flew everywhere to meet with them, including London to look into re-implanting the avulsed nerves with Dr. Thomas Carlstedt. I would have sold my house and flown to the moon if there was someone there that could help! And Dr Shin, from the Mayo, practiced with Dr. Carlstedt, when he did his Brunnell Fellowship. The Mayo ended up as my only choice, there are other great doctors out there, but the Mayo was able to come up with the best options for return and recovery. Along with the phrenic nerve transfer, the free muscle transfer, and the hemi C7 contra-lateral crossover (half of good side C7 transfered across neck to needed muscles on damaged side, which they were the first to do it in the States). Also they completed a world's first operation on me, the Oberlin to triceps, or as my Sister and I refer to it, the Janney Procedure, since we came up with the idea. I have not spent the same effort searching out Surgeons as before my operation, but I spend almost everyday since putting together possibilities for cures for this injury. If I had the choice I would go to the Mayo, and I'm grateful I did have that choice.

Best of Luck,
Christopher