Monitoring
Monitoring of brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBI) is recommended at least until skeletal maturity. Patients are typically scored in various scales to numerically monitor recovery of arm function. The Toronto Test Score, Active Movement Scale, modified Mallet classification, and Medical Research Council (MRC) strength assessment are the most common scales used to monitor recovery.[48][53][54][55][56][90] Early in the course, patients are monitored monthly for recovery of meaningful function, with consideration given to nerve reconstruction surgery if satisfactory function does not result. Later, patients are monitored less frequently for signs of shoulder dysfunction/subluxation or other musculoskeletal issues. After school age, patients are monitored approximately yearly for any ongoing problems or dysfunction that may be amenable to therapy or surgical intervention.
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