Brachial Plexus Injury Second Opinions
Cincinnati Children’s offers second opinions to families seeking care for nerve problems and conditions that affect the shoulder, arm and hand. These include:
- Acute flaccid myelitis
- Brachial plexus birth injury
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
- Traumatic brachial plexus injury
- Paget-Schroetter syndrome
Experts from our Brachial Plexus Center provide surgical and nonsurgical treatments for children, teens and young adults up to age 25. If you or your child have chronic pain or problems with motion and sensation, we’ll help you choose the therapies most likely to provide relief.
What are the Benefits of Getting a Second Opinion?
In many cases, brachial plexus injuries and conditions like TOS are hard to diagnose. That’s because several other medical conditions—such as carpal tunnel syndrome and herniated discs—can cause similar symptoms.
For that reason, it takes skilled specialists to pinpoint what’s causing your symptoms. Without an accurate diagnosis, you or your child may receive treatments that don’t work.
That’s where Cincinnati Children’s can help. Some families ask us for a second opinion because they want us to confirm their diagnosis. Others turn to us for advice about treatments another provider has recommended or because previous treatments haven’t helped.
No matter why you’re seeking a second opinion, we’ll help you compare different options that are available to you or your child. Our providers will help you understand:
- The risks and benefits of each treatment
- Potential side effects
- Recovery time
How Do I Start the Process of Getting a Second Opinion?
There are several ways you can request a second opinion with one of our specialists:
- Fill out our online form. In the “Requesting” field, choose “Requesting A Second Opinion” from the drop-down menu, then pick “”In Person” or “Remote Records Review.”
- Call 513-636-7539 and choose option 1 to schedule an appointment. If you call after hours, leave a message and we’ll return your call as soon as possible.
- Ask your primary care doctor for a referral. They can reach out to us to start the second opinion process on your behalf.
How Should I Prepare?
We’ll need the following items related to your child’s medical condition or injury:
- Medical records
- X-rays or other imaging procedures
- Test results
You can ask your referring provider to send these materials to us, or we can contact them for you.
You should also bring your current medications and insurance card, as well as any custody paperwork and power of attorney documents (if applicable).
Can I Get A Second Opinion Without Traveling to Cincinnati?
Yes. Online second opinions are available to families and patients outside the Greater Cincinnati area (southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana). A specialist will review your case and answer specific questions about a diagnosis or treatment options. It’s easy, convenient, and secure. Our case manager will collect your medical records and guide you through the process.
Online second opinions are typically not covered by insurance and cost $850. There may be additional fees if a radiology or pathology specialist needs to review your records. The program is not available in all areas or for every patient, we will work with you to make sure it’s appropriate for you. Request an online second opinion.
