Texas Nerve & Paralysis Institute

Dr. Nath is now performing pediatric surgeries at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital. Located on Fannin Street in the Texas Medical Center, it is in the same area that parents are already familiar with.

"Over 37,000 children receive treatment at the children's hospital, which is located within the Memorial Hermann Hospital complex, your child is ensured access to advanced medical equipment and expert care by a full-service, university-affiliated hospital."

Newly renovated, the children's hospital's patient rooms are bright and cheery. Each room contains a private bathroom with tub and shower and a resting area for parents.

On the 10th floor there is the Sunroom Playground and on other floors there are well-stocked playrooms filled with videos, games, books and arts & crafts.

Parent Lounges are found on each floor with kitchen and laundromat facilities. Internet service is available in the Volunteer Office.

Anesthesia and nursing staff have been educated on the special needs of brachial plexus injury patients. Occupational therapists and orthotists have also been trained on the specific splinting needs

Pain Services, Child Life and Patient Advocacy are services that are available upon your request.

Pictures and more detailed logistics information will be available on the website soon.

We hope that you and your child have a pleasant experience.

Here's the link to the Children's Hospital website:

http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/CH.html

Do you consider your approach conservative or aggressive?
I think "conservative" and "aggressive" are really very difficult terms to define. Everything depends on one person's particular perspective and experience. I actually think of myself as quite conservative in surgery and my overall approach to patients. However, if there is a particular problem present and it is becoming worse, I will not hesitate to attempt correction. There are technical challenges to operating on smaller and younger children that make some surgeons wait until the child is older, out of concern for their safety, and I support this. However I am comfortable working on a child at any age.

What are your goals as a bpi surgeon?
I think that everyone's goals should be nothing less than normalcy. That, of course, is not always achievable, but I think every attempt should be made to achieve this within the parameters of the family's wishes, and what is safe for the child. Within the past year, I think we are closer than ever before to being able to have a straight arm and a functional arm for the large majority of children.

What are the most amazing discovery you have made in working with children and adults with brachial plexus injuries?
In my extensive experiences with patients suffering this injury, I would have to say that the most amazing discovery to me has been the innate capacity of people to rebound spiritually from difficult circumstances. These injuries impact young people in their primes and the effects are therefore magnified. Beyond simply the arm and hand, they impact families and friends and society as a whole. Within this context, I have consistently seen bravery and fortitude among children and adults barely out of their childhood, far beyond what they could be expected to show. This really is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

Can you imagine spending your whole life with a bpi or winged scapula and not knowing even one single person in the world who also has it?

That's what life was like for previous generations. The changes that have taken place over time have been unprecedented. We've gone from having absolutely nothing to having support groups all over the world, events throughout the year and internet access to information like never before. It's wonderful to see all this growth and change!

We'd like to see community sharing at the Texas Nerve & Paralysis Institute as well and this newsletter can be the messenger.

We're looking for great pictures, artwork, poems, stories of triumph and courage, your favorite therapy ideas and anything you'd like to share with the community as a whole.

Also, are there any topics that you would like to see in this newsletter? We've love to have your ideas!

Email anything you'd like to share to enews@drnathmedical.com.

Care Charts ™ is a registry system located on Dr. Nath's website www.drnathbrachialplexus.com that has been designed to track patient progress both individually and by surgical group. Collection of long-term statistics is vital to assist specialists in the management and care of patients with brachial plexus injuries.

This system tracks the natural history of obstetrical brachial plexus injuries sand will help us determine how we can alter the natural history with surgical intervention. It would be optimal if patient data is entered once every three months and it is critical that all surgery dates be entered as well.

Care Charts ™ is extremely easy to use and will take only a few minutes of your time. Input can be done by your doctor, therapist or parent. Parents can print the Input Forms so that the doctor or therapist can give you the necessary data for your input at an appointment. Once you register as a patient, you will receive a confirmation email. "Input Reminder" emails will also come automatically once a quarter to you and to your therapist.

Play with the "test patient" that's already set up to see what the system can do. We hope that you'll find it easy to use and since we are still adding things and shifting things here and there, we would appreciate any and all of your input. For technical assistance please contact:

info@drnathcarechart.com

Texas Nerve & Paralysis Institute is now actively seeing patients for it's new state-of the art ultra-open Stand-Up MRI.

The Stand-Up MRI scans patients standing, sitting, and in recumbent positions. For the first time, patients can be scanned in weight-bearing postures and in their position of symptoms.

Mother and non-sedated child are shown here watching cartoons on TV while being scanned. This is remarkable because we can now avoid the use of anesthesia for a substantial percentage of children currently requiring an MRI scan.

Patients can be scanned in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending. They can be sitting, standing, and in many other very specific positions.

There is an unprecedented degree of patient comfort due to the unobstructed view of the scanner room from inside the magnet. There is nothing in front of the patient's face.

Most insurance plans are accepted. Call Brenda at (713) 592-9800 for more info.