A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that certain surgeries, if performed immediately after nerve damage occurs, can prevent serious injury later on.
“If we get these patients late, any nerve surgery is less likely to work,” said Steve K. Lee, lead author of the study. Lee also is the research director at the Center for Brachial Plexus and Traumatic Nerve Injury at Hospital for Special Surgery. “A big thrust of this paper is to get the information out there that we need to see these patients earlier for better outcomes.”
Hope for Birth Trauma Victims
This information is especially relevant for the parents of newborns who may have sustained nerve damage at birth. A group of nerves near the neck and shoulders called the brachial plexus is responsible for controlling limb movement. If the baby’s neck is pulled or twisted during birth, the child may lose permanent control of some limbs. This condition is called Erb’s palsy, and this new research suggests that a nerve transfer surgery can prevent a lifelong disability if performed soon enough.
Birth injuries caused by negligent doctors can have permanent effects on the newborn and the family. Sometimes doctors wait to see if the nerves will repair themselves; if doctors wait too long, the damage becomes irreversible. If your doctor failed to provide solutions after a birth injury, we want to hear from you. Call us at 1-800-460-0606 or fill out a contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth trauma attorneys
