The evaluation and treatment of children with brachial plexus birth palsy

Abstract

The Andrew J. Weiland Medal is presented by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand to a mid-career researcher dedicated to advancing patient care in the field of hand surgery. The Weiland Medal for 2010 was presented to the author at the annual meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. The purpose of this article is to present a decade of research directed at establishing and building evidence in support of effective treatment of adolescents and children impaired by nerve injury. The primary beneficiaries of this effort are children affected by brachial plexus injury. The research goals have been to better understand their underlying problems, improve their lives via advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques, and, by applying appropriate outcome measures, better appreciate the changes to their lives brought about by therapeutic interventions.