Dr. Greg Vigna is a brachial plexus injury lawyer with over 20 years medical experience caring for the critically injured. As a rehabilitation specialist he knows what types of long-term therapies are needed to help manage a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus nerves. Years of treatment may be necessary for chronic pain, muscle wasting, reconstructive surgeries and learning new work and life skills. As your brachial plexus lawyer he advocates for a comprehensive jury ruling or legal settlement that takes your life-long needs into account.
The Rehabilitation Team
Dr. Vigna works closely with brachial plexus specialists across the country. It’s important that a skilled team of surgeons, electro-physiologists, occupational and physical therapists and psychologists take part in your recovery. Nerves take months to years to heal, and needs may change throughout this process. One of the key goals of rehabilitation is to prevent additional deformities or complications as muscles heal. There are several ways this is accomplished.
Splinting
Splints are used to help the shoulder or arm maintain correct positioning. This helps manage pain. They help stretch the limb so it does not begin to contract in toward the body. The primary doctor together with the treatment team assess what types of splints will best support recovery needs. This may change several times during treatment.
Stretching
Range of motion exercises and passive stretching slows the degree to which muscle fibers begin to waste away. This is an important part of therapy as nerves are healing. Maintaining muscle function is important because with any improvement in nerves function, the muscles need to be ready to respond.
Electrical Stimulation
In some cases, electrical stimulation may be used to manage pain or exercise non-responsive muscles. Transcutaneous Eelctrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices use an adjustable rate electrical signal through pads placed on the body which is strong enough to contract the muscles but gentle enough to be comfortable to the patient. This can also be used at home.
For stronger muscle contraction, a Neruo-muscular Stimulation (NMS) unit may be used.
Finally, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is used to stimulate certain muscles to contract in order to complete a specific task. For example, FES can contract the fingers so an object can be picked up. FES requires close management by the entire rehabilitation team.
Counseling
Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are common after any type of injury, especially if one’s ability to work or complete normal day to day tasks has been affected. Receiving adequate psychological support is important, because a big part of healing requires staying motivated and confident in the treatment plan.
Getting the best Brachial Plexus Lawyer
Receiving the right type of therapy after a brachial plexus injury can make a big difference in long term outcomes. Dr. Greg Vigna applies over twenty years of medical expertise when building your legal case. As your brachial plexus injury lawyer he advocates for the best legal settlement or jury ruling possible, with expert recommended therapies. Call our office today to speak with a medical-legal professional.
