Brachial plexus injuries (BPI) are most often the result of a difficult delivery when the infant's neck is stretched during the birthing process. The resulting damage to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves near the neck, causes arm weakness and loss of motion, and possible paralysis of the shoulder, arm, hands and fingers.
Allison was first seen at the Shriners Children’s Greenville outpatient clinic when she was 5 weeks old, but due to the severity of her injury, was then referred to Dan Zlotolow, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. One of Dr. Zlotolow's specialties is BPI and peripheral nerve surgery, so Ashley, Allison’s mother, knew she was in good hands.
When Allison was 7 months old, her family flew to Philadelphia to meet Dr. Zlotolow for treatment. Soon after, they developed a care plan. Allison underwent nerve transfer surgery at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, performed by Dr. Zlotolow and Scott Kozin, M.D. Nerve transfer surgeries help a patient gain movement in the body part affected, with the surgeon taking a functioning nerve from another part of the body and replacing the damaged nerve.
Dr. Zlotolow said, “Traumatic births are devastating events. What could be one of the best days of a family’s life becomes a painful memory. Once families enter our doors, they feel hope from our specialized brachial plexus injury care. In Allison’s case, we were able to get her the surgery she needed in time to help.”
The most knowledgeable and compassionate group I could ever ask for. Well worth the trip from South Carolina to Pennsylvania.
When she was born, Allison had no movement in her right arm, but at 4, she has more mobility than ever. She participates in ballet and baton and will soon be on the field playing T-ball, swinging the bat with both arms.
Ashley recently shared her appreciation on a Shriners Children’s Philadelphia Facebook post. She said, “I love my daughter’s care team – Dr. Zlotolow, Dr. Kozin and now Dr. Park! I have loved getting to know this team over the past four years for my daughter with a BPI. The most knowledgeable and compassionate group I could ever ask for. Well worth the trip from South Carolina to Pennsylvania.”
At Shriners Children’s, we pride ourselves on being able to treat patients from all over the United States and internationally. Between varying Shriners Children’s locations, we work together to provide the Most Amazing Care Anywhere to our patients. Ashley said that Allison receives surgery in Philadelphia but attends regular occupational therapy sessions at Shriners Children’s Greenville with her OT, Krystal Vermillion, CScD, OTR/L. Ashley said about her daughter, “She will likely need therapy and surgical care throughout her adolescent and young adult years, and I am so thankful she has such a great support system across the country.”
Baby Allison sits in a stroller with her pink cast after surgery.
