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Medical Providers for Brachial Plexus Injuries
You already know your child is going to need health care goods and services, not only right now, but for the long haul. This section is intended to give you an idea of the types of medical care providers who might be helpful for your child, and give you some suggestions about finding a provider. We also have a list of providers, ranging from hospitals to clinics to agencies, individual doctors and agencies, that you might consider.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
These doctors are frequently called “physiatrists.” Sometimes
that word is mistaken for “psychiatrist” and that is definitely not the
area of medicine in which they practice. A psychiatrist treats the
mind, a physiatrist treats the body. Other common shorthands for their
profession are “rehab docs” and PM&R docs.
This is a
specialty area of medicine, and to qualify for it, the doctor has to
complete medical school and then take a residency in physical medicine
and rehabilitation. This is generally four years beyond medical school
for advanced study in rehabilitation medicine. In our view, you should
look for a rehab doc who has training and experience in pediatrics. The
rehab doc should lead the treatment team, making appropriate referrals
to other specialists and therapists.
Your local children’s
hospital (or the nearest children’s hospital if it is located outside
your immediate community) is a good place to start looking for a rehab
doc. Many such hospitals have brachial plexus clinics led by rehab docs
who have developed special expertise in treating brachial plexus
injuries. The clinics are generally staffed by therapists and surgeons
as well as rehab doctors.
Occupational Therapists
This title is somewhat of a misnomer. You might think an
occupational therapist has something to do with job training. Not true.
Occupational therapy is similar to physical therapy. In the context of
brachial plexus injuries occupational therapists evaluate movement,
strength, coordination and sensation. They develop and provide therapy
programs that include a wide variety of exercises and stimulation to
improve function and reduce complications.
Physical Therapists
Sometimes people think of physical therapy as just being the
equivalent of going to a gym and doing repetitive, boring exercises.
Repetitive exercises, with or without weights, can be a helpful
therapeutic method for a variety of problems. But there are a lot of
other forms of physical activity your physician might recommend for your
child. One form is aquatic therapy—sometimes just plain old swimming,
sometimes special exercises in water with an aquatic therapist. Or your
child might have equestrian therapy. Be sure to consult your physician
about what types of physical therapy might be helpful for your child’s
needs.
Pediatric Neurologists
A pediatric neurologist is a specialist who has completed
advanced training after medical school in both pediatrics and
neurology. Pediatric neurologists are often involved in early diagnosis
and treatment of the injury.
Brachial Plexus Surgeons
A large percentage of children with permanent brachial plexus
injuries will require surgery. What surgeries may be necessary and
when they should be done depends upon the type and severity of your
child’s injury. A description of the types of surgical procedures that
may be used is provided below.
Three Key Factors in Selecting a Surgeon
Just as it’s often said that the three key factors to a real estate decision are “location, location, location”—the three key factors in selecting a surgeon for your child are “experience, experience, experience.” Be sure your surgeon has extensive experience with performing the proposed procedure, regardless of which of the surgical specialties is involved, such as neurosurgeons, orthopedists and plastic surgeons. The same holds true with any other type of health care provider who is going to provide health care services for your child.
Where to Find Clinics, Doctors & Therapists
If your child has a serious injury, he or she will very probably need surgery. And without a great deal of physical and occupational therapy, your child will not be able to achieve the best possible use of his or her arm or hand. So as a parent you will need to determine which surgeon, hospital, clinics and therapists you believe would be able to provide the best care for your child. This often involves travel to other states.
Parents and others have recommended the individuals, medical groups, hospitals and clinics on the lists below, but please remember that just because a name is on this list there’s no guarantee of a successful outcome for your child. No matter who recommends a health care provider, always do your own investigation and make your own decision.
The charts below are for Kansas City area and out-of-Kansas City providers, and are primarily providers for children with brachial plexus injuries. We’re working on a list of brain injury/cerebral palsy providers. We’ll supplement this page as soon as possible.
Note: Within the categories, the health care providers are listed alphabetically.
Kansas City Area Providers
| Adress | Telephone | |
| Hospitals/Clinics | ||
| Brachial Plexus Clinic | Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3000 (866) 512-2168 |
| Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics |
2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, Mo 64108 |
(816) 234-3000 (866) 512-2168 |
| Individuals/Medical Groups | ||
| Melanson, Andrea, OTR (Occupational Therapist) |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3000 (866) 512-2168 |
| Chick, Bridget, CMT | Family Wise Chiropractic 11792 West 112th St. Suite 103 Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(913) 491-6244 |
| Cibis, Gerhard W., M.D. (Pediatric Ophthalmology) |
Gerhard W. Cibis, M.D., P.C. 4620 J.C. Nichols Pkwy. Kansas City, MO 64112 |
(816) 561-0306 |
| Delap, Lynda, PT, CO (Physical Therapist) |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3380 |
| Family Wise Chiropractic | 11791 West 112th St. Suite 103 Overland Park, KS 66210 |
(913) 491-6244 |
| Fickle, Laurie | Family Wise Chiropractic 11792 West 112th St. Suite 103 Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(913) 491-6244 |
| Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics (Prosthetics and assistive devices) |
2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-1480 |
| Heibert, John M., M.D., FACS, FAAP (Plastic Surgeon) |
The Heibert Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery 1004 Carondelet Drive Suite 420 Kansas City, MO 64114 |
(816) 941-6226 |
| Kerl, Brian, C.O. (Senior Clinical Manager) |
Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-1480 |
| Lees, Terri (Aquatic Therapy) |
North Kansas City Community Center 1999 Iron Street Kansas City, MO 64116 |
(816) 300-0531 |
| Life in Balance (Therapy) |
7000 NW Prairie View Rd. Suite 280 Kansas City, MO 64151 |
(816) 255-9575 |
| McGraw, Scarlett, LMT, NCTMT (Massage Therapist) |
Life in Balance 7000 NW Prairie View Rd. Suite 280 Kansas City, MO 64151 |
(816) 255-9575 |
| Metzger, John, M.D. (Developmental Optometrist) |
Vision Therapy KC 11248 Strang Line Road Lenexa, KS 66215 |
(913) 469-8686 |
| Modrcin, Ann C., M.D. (Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist) |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3970 |
| North Kansas City Community Center (Aquatic Therapy) |
1999 Iron Street Kansas City, MO 64116 |
(816) 300-0531 |
| Patel, Atul T., M.D. (Physical Medical and Rehabilitation Specialist) |
Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic 10701 Nall Avenue Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66211 |
(913) 381-5225 |
| Rinaldi, Robert J., M.D. (Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialis |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3970 |
| Ronald McDonald House | Children’s Mercy Hospital Second Floor 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3670 |
| Schwend, Richard, M.D. (Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon) |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3693 |
| The Children’s SPOT | 4333 Baltimore Kansas City, MO 64111 |
(816) 932-3832 |
| The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City |
3011 Baltimore Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 751-7700 |
| Thomas, Kenneth R., M.D. (Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine) |
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 |
(816) 234-3080 |
| Vision Therapy KC | 11248 Strang Line Road Lenexa, KS 66215 |
(913) 469-8686 |
| Worthington, Jeanette, M.S. | The Children’s SPOT 4333 Pennsylvania Kansas City, MO 64111 |
(816) 932-3832 |
Providers Outside of the Kansas City Area
| Adress | Telephone | |
| Hospitals/Clinics | ||
| Brachial Plexus Center | St. Louis Children’s Hospital Room 4S 20 One Children’s Place St. Louis, MO 63110 |
(314) 454-2811 |
| Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare |
200 University Ave. East St. Paul, MN 55101 |
(651) 291-2848 |
| St. Louis Children’s Hospital | One Children’s Place St. Louis, MO 63110 |
(314) 454-6000 |
| Shriner’s Hospital for Children |
3551 North Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19140 |
(215) 430-4000 |
| Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children |
222 Welborn Street Dallas, TX 75219 |
(214) 559-5000 |
| Individuals/Medical Groups | ||
| Kozin, Scott, M.D. (Hand and arm surgeon) |
Shriner’s Hospital for Children 3551 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19140 |
(215) 430-4000 |
| Nath, Rahul K., M.D. | Texas Nerve & Paralysis Institute 6400 Fannin Street Suite 2420 Houston, TX 77030 |
(713) 592-9900 |
| Park, T.S., M.D. (Pediatric Neurosurgery) |
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Room 4S 20 One Children’s Place St. Louis, MO 63110 |
(314) 454-2810 |
| Texas Nerve & Paralysis Institute |
6400 Fannin Street Suite 2420 Houston, TX 77030 |
(713) 592-9900 |