Brachial plexus injury care at Mayo Clinic
Your Mayo Clinic care team
People with brachial plexus injuries usually see three surgeons during one office visit at Mayo Clinic.
At Mayo Clinic, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, hand and microvascular surgeons, physical rehabilitation experts, and other specialists collaborate as a team to evaluate and treat each patient.
Everyone on the team, regardless of medical specialty, is focused on brachial plexus injuries. This means that you're not just getting one opinion — you benefit from the knowledge and experience of each specialist on the multidisciplinary team.
Advanced diagnosis and treatment
With state-of-the-art research and lab facilities, Mayo Clinic specialists use advanced technology, cutting-edge imaging tests and comprehensive exams to get a detailed, accurate diagnosis of your injury. Surgeons, radiologists, physical therapists and other specialists collaborate as a team to evaluate your condition and choose the best treatment.
At Mayo Clinic's campuses in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida, neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons work together to perform needed surgeries at the same time. One surgeon may be operating on your brachial plexus while another is taking nerve grafts from your calf or harvesting muscle to transfer to your injured arm. This can shorten the length of time you need to be under anesthesia.
What is the Brachial Plexus?
Shelley Noland, M.D., Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic: My name is Dr. Shelley Noland. I am a hand and peripheral nerve surgeon here at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D., Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic: My name is Dr. Pelagia Kouloumberis and I am a neurosurgeon here at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Shelley Noland, M.D.: Dr. Kouloumberis, what is the brachial plexus?
Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D.: The brachial plexus is a complex of nerves that exit the spinal cord that supply power to the upper extremity or the arm.
Shelley Noland, M.D.: A brachial plexus injury results in injury to these nerves entering the arm, which can cause paralysis or weakness in the upper extremity. Dr. Kouloumberis, what's the most important thing for a patient with a new diagnosis of a brachial plexus injury to understand?
Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D.: Once you have suffered an injury of your brachial plexus, it is very important that you receive care for that injury in a timely fashion. This is a time sensitive injury and you should be evaluated by somebody who specializes in this field as soon as possible.
Shelley Noland, M.D.: Here at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, we believe that patients with brachial plexus injuries deserve and require a team-based approach.
Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D.: When patients come to us with brachial plexus injuries, we realize that their needs are more than just surgical. That is why we have assembled a team to help address the needs of the entire patient.
Shelley Noland, M.D.: Here in the treatment of brachial plexus injuries we offer cutting edge procedures, including nerve transfers and muscle transplantations.
Pelagia Kouloumberis, M.D.: Each treatment plan is individualized, taking into account the patient's need such as degree of injury and type of reconstruction required.
Shelley Noland, M.D.: If you or a loved one has sustained a brachial plexus injury, we encourage you to seek out a brachial plexus specialist as soon as possible.
Research and innovation
Surgeons and scientists collaborate in Mayo Clinic labs for microsurgery and regenerative medicine to develop new solutions that improve nerve healing, speed recovery and improve the outcomes for patients with brachial plexus injuries. This constant, enthusiastic search for better ways to repair nerves, muscles and tendons has made brachial plexus treatment more reliable and consistent for patients at Mayo Clinic.
Expertise and rankings
Orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists are all part of the brachial plexus team at Mayo Clinic.
Experience
Mayo Clinic's brachial plexus surgeons are recognized nationally and internationally for their surgical technical excellence and innovative abilities to solve both straightforward and complex brachial plexus problems. Each year, hundreds of people with brachial plexus injuries are treated at Mayo Clinic.
Treatment expertise
Brachial plexus surgeons at Mayo Clinic have an extensive depth and breadth of experience with advanced microsurgical techniques. They have developed new muscle and tendon transfers and are at the forefront in understanding nerve regeneration.
Mayo Clinic brachial plexus surgeons are recognized for their excellence and innovation.
Nationally recognized expertise
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has been recognized as one of the top Rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.
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Highly skilled pediatric experts diagnose and treat all types of conditions in children. As a team, we work together to find answers, set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.
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Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
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Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
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Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.