Need to Add to Support Group List

http://www.ubpn.org

The United Brachial Plexus Network (UBPN) is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to providing information, support and leadership for families and those concerned with brachial plexus injuries worldwide.

Brachial Plexus Injury Support Groups

Brachial Plexus Injury Support Groups (Please let us know if you have information of others.)

Chicago Brachial Plexus Injury Support Group
In January of 2001 our team got together to form what is now the Chicago Brachial Plexus Injury Support Group Inc. Our goal is to educate and promote awareness with parents, teachers, physicians, and the community about the treatment and prevention of Brachial Plexus Injury. We offer support, information, and opportunity to all who choose to welcome it! Please take a tour of our site to gain a better understanding of what we do!

http://www.chicagobpi.com/


Midwest Brachial Plexus Network, Inc
30505 E. 38th St.Grain Valley, MO 64029816-914-1957

a non-profit organization providing support and information to those touched by brachial plexus injury. Brachial plexus injury (bpi) is an injury that causes paralysis to one or both arms. Most bpi's happen during delivery of an infant, however trauma later in life may also result in a bpi. The injury can be temporary or it may cause a permanent disability. At this site you will find the most complete information about brachial plexus injury, available treatments, legal information, articles, FAQ and support services. We are dedicated to helping parents help their injured children. We also strive to provide information to the medical community so that doctors can prevent as many bpi's as possible and give prompt and accurate treatment when the injury does occur.

http://www.birthinjury.org/


The Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation (BPPF) 210 Spring Haven CircleRoyersford, PA 19468 E-mail: contact@brachialplexuspalsyfoundation.orgThe BPPF is a 501(c)3 organization.
began in 1995 after the birth of our son Andrew, who suffered a severe brachial plexus injury to his right arm. Immediately, we knew that we were going to find ways to help with education and treatment of this injury.

http://www.brachialplexuspalsyfoundation.org/



TBPI Group
P.O. BOX 23
GLOSSOP
SK13 1WU
U.K.
Tel; +44(0)1457 860397 to leave a message
http://www.tbpi-group.org/

Connecticut Erb's Palsy and BPI Circle.
Has support board, BPI Resource section, Photos, Poems& Writings, and Connecticut Info.
http://www.ctepbpicircle.com/

Amy's MN Brachial Plexus Injury Info. & Support
email is hope16_05 @ hotmail.com
http://www.freewebs.com/bpimn/

Space Coast Brachial Plexus Injury Support Group
To support local families and individuals affected by brachial plexus injuries. Our organization is dedicated to providing information and resources to families and professionals
321-254-4469
McVieraFl@cs.com

Wisconsin BPI Connection
Was created to offer support, information, interaction among families caregivers relating toBrachial Plexus/Erb'sPalsy.
P.O. Box 23
Larsen, WI 54947
Erbspalsy1@gmail.com
http://www.freewebs.com/wbpic

News

Two great links below about Matt Parson a gifted musican, and guitar player that happens to have Erb's Palsy.
How I overcame my disability to make musicic Coventry - Coventry,UKMatt Parsons, aged 24, of Winchester Court, Dunchurch, near Rugby, suffers from Erb's Palsy, which restricts the movement in his left arm. ...
http://www.youtube.com/leftarmrecords

CDC Response

Photo courtesy of the late Dr. J. Laurent

This is how the CDC responded to my question about tracking OBPI:
Because CDC is not a regulatory agency, it does not have the authorityto mandate reporting of health conditions. National surveillance forpublic health conditions is conducted on a voluntary basis, usuallythrough state health departments which have their own individualreporting requirements.
Most state birth defects surveillance programs monitor malformationsthat arise during gestation, rather than abnormalities that originateduring delivery or in the newborn period. However, the Division of HumanDevelopment and Disability within our center focuses on the health ofpersons living with disabilities, regardless of the origin of thecondition. I will forward your suggestion to them.
So, I guess this is a start???? ARGH!!!!

Results of Occurrence of OBPI Survey

You can find out the growing results of the Occurrence of OBPI Survey at: http://www.opinionpower.com/results.cgi?id=343045530

I am in contact with the CDC regarding how we can go about getting them to track and collect this data. Hopefully, we will hear something back soon. I will keep you updated.

Occurrence of OBPI

Photo by P. Bailey

Do you think that the incidence of OBPI in recent years has:

1. Decreased

2. Increased

3. Stayed about the same

The CDC's National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), does not collect or maintain the data on the occurrence of brachial plexus birth injuries ( e.g. Erb's Palsy).
Anyway, I am just curious to what you all think. I have been getting a lot of feed back from the above question, so I thought I would create an online survey.
Oh, yeh! The survey can be found at: http://www.opinionpower.com/Surveys/343045530.html

National Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Association, Inc.

Did you know you can still find the National Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Association, Inc., site at:

http://web.archive.org/web/20021128141009/www.nbpepa.org/

It is loaded on a Web Archive. It has a lot of information, and also has useful links.

You-Tube and More News

I was really amazed to see quite a few videos on You-Tube regarding Brachial Plexus Injuries.

Here are a few:
The Many Faces of Brachial Plexus Injuries
FranLitz - 5 min - Nov 13, 2006 - (5 ratings)
Slide Show by Allison Steigerwalt - Mom to Bradley. Brachial plexus injuries are lifelong injuries that affect the individual and family on so many levels. ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhvoM-nsqhs


Video story Femke's first year
johnstrike - 4 min - Sep 1, 2006
Showing the remarkable recovery of Femke after suffering from Brachial Plexus Injury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqxsAbP-XNU

Kanaan's First Day of Therapy
chrystalhurst - 1 min - Dec 5, 2006
Kanaan's first day of therapy @ Shriner's in Philly with Danielle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzas2x4YHoQ

Kanaan Clapping
chrystalhurst - 51 sec - Dec 8, 2006
Kanaan clapping after his Anterior Capsule Release
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEo215-BYvA

Isn’t this a wonderful medium.


More News from Google:
Mother, child awarded $1.8 million for injuries during childbirthVirginian Pilot, VA - Jan 12, 20072, 2004. He suffered a brachial plexus injury, according to a complaint filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court. The injury caused nerves in the child’s neck ...

Updates and New Things on the Web.

Some Updates and New Things on the Web.
Dr. Nath’s Web Log was updated at: http://www.drnathbrachialplexus.com/weblog/index.php
He has some new Literature noted on the log, and links to them.
The first he has listed is:
“His new discovery of scapular Shear Deformity.”

The Erb’s Coollist subscription area seems to be down at this time. Messages/Postings seem to be going through okay. Will keep you posted, if and when it is again active.


Health Conference Announcement
Brachial Plexus Conference 2007Date(s): June 15-16, 2007Type: ConferenceLocation: Sabin Education Center, Fifth Third Bank AuditoriumContact: For more information or to register, contact the Continuing Medical Education office, 513-636-6732.Sponsor: The Brachial Plexus Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The United Brachial Plexus Network (http://www.ubpn.org)

Updates on the Home Page of site.

UBPN Order Form-new zippers pulls

President's Corner

Donor Thank yous

Anatomy Images

There are many more anatomy images at this site: http://homepage.mac.com/cljanney/PhotoAlbum8.html

FAQ's

I guess we will start with FAQ's.

Brachial Plexus Palsy, also referred to as Erb's Palsy, is a condition that affects the nerves that control the muscles in the arm and hand.Possible Symptoms:-a limp or paralyzed arm-lack of muscle control in the arm-a decrease of sensation in the arm or handTypes of Brachial Plexus InjuriesThe injury may involve one or more nerves of the brachial plexus.
The Brachial Plexus is located on the right and left side of your neck, between the neck and shoulder area.It is a group of nerves that run from the spinal cord through the arm to the wrist and hand.

Q. What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

A. A brachial plexus injury is an injury to the nerves that supply the muscles of the arm. Injury to nerves of the brachial plexus can result in complete to partial paralysis to the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, or fingers.


Q. Are there various degrees of severity with a Brachial Plexus Injury?

A. There are four basic types of nerve injuries. Some people only have one type while others have a combination of two or more types.
� Avulsion- the nerve is detached from the spinal cord.
� Rupture- the nerve is separated from itself, but not at the juncture of the nerve and the spinal cord. There may be one or more ruptures in a single nerve.
� Praxis or Traction- the nerve is typically overstretched and damaged, but not detached from itself or the spinal cord.
� Neuroma- scar tissue has surrounded the injured nerve and excessive pressure is now placed on the nerve. Therefore, the nerve has trouble getting all the signals to the muscle to be able to perform a movement.


Q. How do Brachial Plexus Injuries occur?

A. Brachial plexus injuries occur when there is excessive stretching, tearing, or other trauma to the brachial plexus network. Injuries can be sustained during delivery of a baby. This is known as Obstetrical Brachial Plexus. Traumatic Brachial Plexus is seen when injuries are sustained secondary to vehicular accidents such as automobiles, motorcycles, or boats, sports injuries particularly football, gunshot wounds, or surgeries. Traumatic BPI's have also been noted with animal bites or puncture wounds.


Q. What are some symptoms associated with Brachial Plexus Injuries?

A. There are several degrees of symptoms that can be seen with BPI. Here are some of the most typical examples:
� Limited active range of motion of the entire arm or any part of the arm.
� Sensation changes in the involved arm.
� Weakness of specific muscle groups.
� Poor ability to perform typical midline activities.
� Poor ability to weight bear through the arm.
� Neglect of the affected arm.
� Posturing of the arm in atypical positions.
� Developmental Delay
� Torticollis- a shortened muscle of the neck, so the head tilts to one side.


Q. How often do obstetrical brachial plexus injuries occur?

A. The current research suggests that brachial plexus injuries are seen 1-3 in every 1000 live births.


Q. What are the treatments?

A. Treatments include but are not limited to the following: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, surgical interventions, splinting, casting, electrical stimulation.


Q. When should I initiate treatments?

A. It is essential that a person suffering from a brachial plexus injury initiate treatments as soon as possible. Typically, a person suffering from an obstetrical brachial plexus injury sees a physical therapist or occupational therapist in the first two weeks of life. The goal of the therapist is to assist the family in Range of motion exercises, assess for muscle contractions even when movement is not seen, address positioning, make adaptive equipment, reduce the infant's tendencies toward neglect, and avoid atypical movement patterns, avoid tightening of muscles, and assist with weight bearing activities even in the newborn stage.