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Brachial plexus injuries and correction surgery
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 40,000+ babies, children and young people cared for every year
- 20+ paediatric orthopaedic consultants
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Correction of brachial plexus injuries in children at HCA UK
Why choose us?
If your child is born with brachial plexus injuries, we understand that it can be a worrying time. Our team of peripheral nerve specialists and paediatric teams are here to support you every step of the way, so you have peace of mind that you and your child are in safe hands.
Our treatment begins with a detailed assessment. Our nerve repair specialists will then create a tailored treatment plan to ensure your child receives personalised care. From initial consultation to recovery and rehabilitation, your child will be supported by a dedicated team at every stage of their journey.
Our treatment begins with a detailed assessment. Our nerve repair specialists will then create a tailored treatment plan to ensure your child receives personalised care. From initial consultation to recovery and rehabilitation, your child will be supported by a dedicated team at every stage of their journey.
Brachial plexus injuries affect the nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers. They occur during birth and risk factors include:
- Shoulder dystocia (which is when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery, requiring significant force to be dislodged)
- Fetal macrosomia (common in large babies, especially those weighing over 8.8 to 9.9 pounds or 4000 to 4500 grams)
- Prolonged or difficult labour, especially during the second stage
- Instrument delivery
- Breech presentation
- Maternal factors (for example, maternal diabetes or weight, sometimes from excessive weight gain during pregnancy)
This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, so your child will be asleep throughout. A cut is made at the front and, if needed, at the back of the shoulder (osteotomy) so the surgeon can access the joint.
This releases the tendons, and the head is moved back into the socket. If the socket is deficient at the back, the shoulder blade (scapula) is remodelled to contain the head. The child is often given a plaster jacket to wear for a few weeks to protect the surgery.
This releases the tendons, and the head is moved back into the socket. If the socket is deficient at the back, the shoulder blade (scapula) is remodelled to contain the head. The child is often given a plaster jacket to wear for a few weeks to protect the surgery.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and answer any questions you have. In the week before surgery, it's important that your child stays healthy. Let your consultant know if your child has recently had a cold or a sore throat, as surgery may need to be postponed to reduce the risk of complications.
Because general anaesthetic is used during the procedure, your child may need to fast for several hours before the operation. Your consultant will tell you how long they should avoid eating and drinking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Because general anaesthetic is used during the procedure, your child may need to fast for several hours before the operation. Your consultant will tell you how long they should avoid eating and drinking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects. Your consultant will explain these to you.
After your child has healed from the procedure and the cast has been removed, they will need intensive physiotherapy to improve their function and to learn how to move their shoulder. This will take several weeks and, in some cases, months.
You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your consultant to monitor your child's progress. They'll be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns you might have.
You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your consultant to monitor your child's progress. They'll be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns you might have.
No.1
the only UK private hospital dedicated to treating women and children
9
level 3 intensive care beds for the highest levels of care
40,000
babies, children and young people cared for each year
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Putting your child's needs first
Our complete breadth of expertise focused on your child
The process
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door until you're ready to leave, we want you and your child to feel as comfortable as possible with us. A number of our consultants hold prominent positions at London's top teaching hospitals, and patients travel across the world to be treated by them.
01
Initial consultation
You'll have an initial consultation with a specialist who will assess your baby's motor function and range of movement to see whether they have any issues with movement in certain muscles. This will help them gain a better understanding of your child's condition.
02
Tests and investigations
It is likely that your consultant will want to carry out further tests to give an accurate diagnosis. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) are valuable tools in diagnosing and managing obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), helping to localise the lesion, assess its severity and determine prognosis. They may recommend that your baby has an X-ray to check whether their collarbone, also known as their clavicle, has been fractured. A CT scan and an MRI scan may also be required to assess the bony architecture and containment more accurately.
03
Follow-up appointment
Once your child's injury has been fully diagnosed, your consultant will discuss the results with you at your follow-up appointment. They'll also work with a multidisciplinary team to develop the right treatment plan for your child's needs. This is likely to involve either nerve grafting or nerve transfer surgery.
04
Brachial plexus injury treatment
Neurolysis of the nerves in the neck involves freeing the nerves from scar tissue or compression, aiming to improve nerve function and potentially restore arm and hand movement. Nerve graft repair involves taking a graft from a healthy nerve and using it to bridge the gap in your child's damaged nerve. Nerve transfer involves using the end of a healthy nerve to reattach the end of an injured one. If your child’s shoulder joint development has been affected, treatment may also involve surgery from the front of the shoulder to release tight tissues and enable relocation of the humeral head, as well as surgery from the back of the shoulder to reshape the socket and improve containment of the humeral head.
05
Post-treatment follow-up appointments
Regular follow-up appointments with your consultant help make sure that your child's progress is carefully monitored. Your child will need to undergo a course of intensive physiotherapy to restore movement and improve shoulder function. Our multidisciplinary team will be there to guide you every step of the way.
Location
Where can I access correction of brachial plexus injury treatment?
You and your child can visit our paediatric orthopaedic consultants, who can help you with everything from initial consultation to treatment and the next steps.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Correction of brachial plexus injuries in children FAQs
Your child's consultant will assess their condition using diagnostics and physical examinations. Surgery for correction of brachial plexus injuries in children is recommended if nerve damage is severe, movement is restricted or if early treatments like physiotherapy do not help.
Most children need physiotherapy for weeks or even months to regain movement and strength, and nerve regeneration can take longer.
As with any procedure, surgery for correction of brachial plexus injuries in children carries risks, including infection, bleeding, or nerve regeneration issues.
Many children regain significant function with surgery and rehabilitation, though some may experience minor limitations. Early intervention and physiotherapy are crucial for maximising recovery and long-term mobility after correction of brachial plexus injuries in children.
“Treatments and surgical procedures should be supported and highly targeted for each individual, and this is increasingly considered best practice. Nowhere is this more important and impactful than in paediatric care.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.