|
 |
 |
     |
 |
California BPI Specialists/Clinics
Vincent Hentz, MD
When was your Brachial Plexus Injury Clinic established? 1983 Identify what specialties related to brachial plexus injuries are represented by practitioners working in your clinic including physical/occupational therapists, if any. Specialties related to brachial plexus injuries include rehabilitation medicine specialists, pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialists, physical and occupational therapists, adult and pediatric neurologists. What do you/your clinic specialize in treating? We have separate Adult and Obstetrical BPP Clinics.
Indicate the total number of brachial plexus patients you/your clinic has evaluated since your establishment: Number of children (Obstetrical brachial plexus injuries): 300+ Number of children (Trauma or other brachial plexus injuries): 30+ Number of adults (Obstetrical brachial plexus injuries): 25, presenting as adults Number of adults (Trauma or other brachial plexus injuries): 300+ State your clinic philosophy regarding evaluation, referral and treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus injuries in children. Our philosophy is to have children with any type of obstetrical injury referred to the clinic so that they can have their initial evaluation as soon after birth as is feasible. Sequential evaluations done ideally at monthly intervals are used to determine which babies should be allowed to evolve spontaneously and which babies might be candidates for surgical brachial plexus reconstruction. The decision regarding the management of each baby is completely individualized. In general, we follow recovery or lack of recovery in key muscle groups by sequential examinations to determine whether early surgery is indicated. Electromyographic studies and other imaging studies such as MRIs are frequently, thought not routinely, ordered to assist in decision making. Our philosophy is to identify that child who would benefit from surgical exploration and reconstruction as early as possible. State your clinic philosophy regarding evaluation, referral and treatment of traumatic brachial plexus injuries. Our philosophy regarding non-birth related traumatic brachial plexus injuries in children and adults is basically the same. The goal of examination is to determine if surgery would be beneficial. In general, decisions are made on the history of the injury, particularly the energy involved in the injury, the clinical presentation, particularly evidence of severe energy such as broken clavicle, humerus, scapula, fractured spinous processes, etc. Total brachial plexus palsies either in children or adults we believe, in general, should be explored if they are not making significant progress with definite evidence of recovery by three months to six months following injury. State your clinic philosophy regarding pain management and brachial plexus injuries. Our philosophy regarding pain management is to work with our comprehensive pain management team. There is a role for our neurosurgical management of intractable pain in adults and we work closely with our neurological colleagues at Stanford to manage intractable pain. Indicate research efforts (include dates please) conducted by your clinic specific to brachial plexus injuries. We have studied our results and published or experience in a number of publications. Our current research includes participation in a multi-center analysis of the results of very early surgery (3-4 months of age vs. somewhat later surgery at 6-7 months of age) for children with surgical indications. Do you accept any national/governmental payment for services or are you enrolled in any state medicaid plans? Please provide information on these plans and include which states you are enrolled in for medicaid services. Enrolled in California Children's Service Plan. Accept many insurance plans. |
 |
|
 |
The appearance of information on this UBPN website does not imply endorsement by UBPN or its Board of Directors. Individuals need to consult with trusted clinicians to determine the appropriateness of products or services for their specific needs |