United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello,

My father was in a motorcycle accident on April 6th. he suffered various injuries including a severed artery and BPI on the left side. His left arm is suffering from paralysis at this time. The doctors were able to repair the damaged arteries so the arm has blood flow. At this time, my dad is experiencing pain and "pins and needles" in the left arm but he can't feel anything else.

I am very concerned about his recovery. The surgeon at the trauma center told him that there is nothing more he can do to help the arm.

I would like to get my dad to a specialist ASAP to see if someone else has a different opinion. I would like to know if the symptoms I described above are common with a BPI. I would also like to hear of any top notch places we can go for treatment.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Lauren

Hi Lauren,
Are you in the US? If so Dr. Kline at LSU, the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Nath in Texas, all would be good places to start. Hope this helps...Karl...

Thanks for the quick response. We are in the US. We live in Florida but I am doubting anyone here will be of help. It seems we always need to travel to find the best doctors. I will look into the names you have given.

Thanks again,
Lauren

Hiya...so sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds like he should get to see a BP specialist as soon as he can. If you are in the US, then the first place to look is on the excellent medical resources on this site. The list has many surgeons/drs who are experienced in these injuries, and there is probably one in or near the state you live in. This is the link to the list; http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/us-bpi.html Click on the name of your state and the info should be there. One small word of caution tho; it is quite important to find a Dr. who is very experienced in treating adults rather than babies with OBPI; the treatment of the injuries is very different in many ways. Good luck; let us know how you get on.

Lizzy B

Thank you for the quick replies. I will look into the resources you both gave me. We are in the US. My dad is very depressed already and I am hoping to give him some hope of recovery.

Thanks again,
Lauren

Lauren,
I am sorry to hear of your father's injury. My son has a bpi also, damaged in car accident 12/19/03. We went to the Mayo Clinic and LSU (Drs. Kline & Tiel), and to a Doctor in Miami, FL who deals with infants with bpi. There is also a Dr. Nath in Texas and others throughout the country. My son, Blair will be having his surgery at the Mayo Clinic in May 04. He is in intense pain daily, we are trying to get it under control, but so far we have not had any luck. Keep researching and the Best of Luck to you. I hope all turns out well for you.

Donna

Lauren, there is help, but with the right Doctors. My advice is same as Karl's. Call the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN Dr. Nath and Shenaq in Houston and Kline in New Orleans. This pain is normal for some people with BPI and it really hurts.

Hi,
My son had a bad car accident at college in 1995. As others have told you there are a few specialist that may be able to help your Dad. The medical field has made great advances in this area but they have a long way to go. Dr. Kline was the first in the country and is a pioneer in the field.He's at LSU Medical Center in New Orleans. Mayo's team from what I understand is quite aggressive. Every bpi is different and it depends on the entent of the injury and if avulsion is part of the equation. If you have the finances go and see the Mayo doctors in Rochester and also Dr. Kline/Dr Tiel then you might want to do that. From our experience and ones I have talked to, it is a very personal decision if one gets operated on or choses not to. Then sometimes the doctors don't reccomend it. I've talked to many who did and many who didn't. My son has not been operated on and it's been 9 years. He has adjusted in life and actually tells me he is use to only one arm and doesn't even think about it anymore. Now the pain issue is a different issue. From what he tells me, you learn to live and tolerate it. But like I said, everyone is so different.

Lauren, I just saw your father had his accident 4/6. I had mine that date, but in 2003. I don't like that date.

I would like to thank all of you for your quick responses. I have begun to research the doctors you mentioned.

Thanks again,
Lauren