Current Environment: Production

Medical Services

Specialties

Programs & Services

Languages

  • English

Education

Undergraduate School

Princeton University

2001, Princeton, NJ

Medical School

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

2005, New York, NY

Residency

Orthopedic Surgery

Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program

2010, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Hand Surgery

Massachusetts General Hospital

2011, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Pediatric Hand Surgery

Shriners Hospital for Children

2011, Sacramento, CA

Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (General)
  • American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (Hand Subspecialty)

Professional History

Dr. Andrea Bauer came to Boston Children’s Hospital in 2015 after beginning her career at the Shriners Hospital for Children – Northern California and UC Davis Medical School. Her specialty is pediatric hand, upper limb, and peripheral nerve surgery with a special interest in brachial plexus birth injury, congenital hand differences, and peripheral nerve injuries.

Dr. Bauer received a competitive traveling fellowship in 2014 from the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society which she used to visit three centers expert in the treatment of brachial plexus birth injury and bring these ideas from around North America back to her patients.

Many of the advances in the care of children with BPBI in the last 20 years originated at Boston Children’s Hospital, and she hopes to continue that tradition. Dr. Bauer’s current research focuses on early diagnosis of the types of nerve injuries associated with BPBI with the goal to find treatments that can be applied earlier to improve outcomes.

Media

Caregiver Profile

Meet Dr. Andrea Bauer

Answers Blog

Pirate puzzles and peekaboo: Beckett’s brachial plexus birth injury story

Answers Blog

MRI could reduce the mystery of brachial plexus injuries in infants

Answers Blog

Broken signals: Things you may not know about nerve injury

Publications

  1. Atraumatic Disorders of the Pediatric Spinal Cord and Brachial Plexus. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Apr 05. View Abstract

  2. Triceps tendon avulsions in children and young adult patients: a commonly delayed diagnosis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2025 Mar 28. View Abstract

  3. Early MRI Can Predict the Indication for Surgery in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: Results of the NAPTIME Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Mar 19; 107(6):e18. View Abstract

  4. Radiographic Features of the Metacarpal in Blauth Type III Thumb Hypoplasia. J Hand Surg Am. 2024 Jun 26. View Abstract

  5. Common upper extremity gymnastics injuries and gymnastic specific return to play protocols. J Pediatr Soc North Am. 2024 Feb; 6:100016. View Abstract

  6. Nerve Transfers in the Lower Extremity. J Pediatr Soc North Am. 2023 Feb; 5(1):605. View Abstract

  7. Wrist Guards/Supports in Gymnastics: Are They Helping or Hurting You? Am J Sports Med. 2023 11; 51(13):3426-3433. View Abstract

  8. Early Elbow Flexion Contracture Predicts Shoulder Contracture in Infants with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. J Pediatr. 2024 01; 264:113739. View Abstract

  9. Outcomes of Adolescent T-condylar Fractures: Kids Do Not Always Make You Look Good. J Pediatr Orthop. 2023 Oct 01; 43(9):e726-e733. View Abstract

  10. Prevalence of perinatal factors in infants with brachial plexus birth injuries and their association with injury severity. J Perinatol. 2023 05; 43(5):578-583. View Abstract

  11. Donor-Site Morbidity for Iliac Crest Harvesting for Pediatric Scaphoid Nonunion. J Hand Surg Am. 2023 08; 48(8):833.e1-833.e5. View Abstract

  12. Anxiety surrounding supracondylar humerus pin removal in children. J Child Orthop. 2022 Apr; 16(2):104-110. View Abstract

  13. How Risky Are Risk Factors? An Analysis of Prenatal Risk Factors in Patients Participating in the Congenital Upper Limb Differences Registry. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2022 May; 4(3):147-152. View Abstract

  14. Sociodemographic Missed-care Predictors for Pediatric Orthopaedic Telemedicine During COVID-19. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Jul 01; 42(6):e688-e695. View Abstract

  15. The Efficacy of Nonsurgical and Surgical Interventions in the Treatment of Pediatric Wrist Ganglion Cysts. J Hand Surg Am. 2022 04; 47(4):341-347. View Abstract

  16. Selecting the Next Class: The "Virtual Orthopaedic Rotation". J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022 01 19; 6(1). View Abstract

  17. Three-Dimensional Printing in Hand Surgery. J Hand Surg Am. 2021 11; 46(11):1016-1022. View Abstract

  18. Associations between developmental timing of child abuse and conduct problem trajectories in a UK birth cohort. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 03 16; 21(1):89. View Abstract

  19. Congenital Upper Limb Differences Registry (CoULD): Registry Inclusion Effect. J Hand Surg Am. 2021 06; 46(6):515.e1-515.e11. View Abstract

  20. Extensor Retinaculum Reconstruction of the Distal Radioulnar Joint in Adolescents. Hand (N Y). 2022 09; 17(5):957-962. View Abstract

  21. Association of Radial Longitudinal Deficiency and Thumb Hypoplasia: An Update Using the CoULD Registry. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Oct 21; 102(20):1815-1822. View Abstract

  22. Brachial Plexus Birth Injury in the Preterm Infant: Suspecting the Unsuspected. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Oct; 40(9):515-519. View Abstract

  23. Closed Reduction and Immobilization of Pediatric Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures. Hand (N Y). 2022 05; 17(3):416-421. View Abstract

  24. A Comparative Analysis of 150 Thumb Polydactyly Cases from the CoULD Registry Using the Wassel-Flatt, Rotterdam, and Chung Classifications. J Hand Surg Am. 2021 Jan; 46(1):17-26. View Abstract

  25. Variation Among Surgeons Regarding the Use of Preoperative Antibiotics in Percutaneous Pinning Procedures of the Upper Extremity in the Pediatric Population. Hand (N Y). 2022 05; 17(3):558-565. View Abstract

  26. Association of Radial Longitudinal Deficiency and Thumb Hypoplasia: An Update Using the CoULD Registry. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Jul 29. View Abstract

  27. Follow-up Study on the Effects of Tendon Transfers and Open Reduction on Moderate Glenohumeral Joint Deformity in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Jul 15; 102(14):1260-1268. View Abstract

  28. Functional Elbow Range of Motion in Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Jul; 40(6):304-309. View Abstract

  29. Follow-up Study on the Effects of Tendon Transfers and Open Reduction on Moderate Glenohumeral Joint Deformity in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Apr 02. View Abstract

  30. Reconstruction of the Suprascapular Nerve in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: A Comparison of Nerve Grafting and Nerve Transfers. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Feb 19; 102(4):298-308. View Abstract

  31. Microsurgery for Brachial Plexus Injury Before Versus After 6 Months of Age: Results of the Multicenter Treatment and Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Injury (TOBI) Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 02 05; 102(3):194-204. View Abstract

  32. Thumb Hypoplasia Occurring in Patients With Preaxial Polydactyly. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Mar; 45(3):182-188. View Abstract

  33. Outcomes of Late Microsurgical Nerve Reconstruction for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Jun; 45(6):555.e1-555.e9. View Abstract

  34. Functional Elbow Range of Motion in Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop. 2019 Dec 09. View Abstract

  35. Incarcerated Medial Epicondyle Fractures With Elbow Dislocation: Risk Factors Associated With Morbidity. J Pediatr Orthop. 2019 Oct; 39(9):e647-e651. View Abstract

  36. Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle: surgical decision making and outcomes. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Feb; 29(2):302-307. View Abstract

  37. Long-Term Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Reconstruction with Sural Nerve Autograft for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 05; 143(5):1017e-1026e. View Abstract

  38. Early Predictors of Microsurgical Reconstruction in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy. Iowa Orthop J. 2019; 39(1):37-43. View Abstract

  39. The Anterior Approach for Transfer of Radial Nerve Triceps Fascicles to the Axillary Nerve. J Hand Surg Am. 2019 Apr; 44(4):345.e1-345.e6. View Abstract

  40. Clavicle Fracture Is Not Predictive of the Need for Microsurgery in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy. J Pediatr Orthop. 2018 Feb; 38(2):128-132. View Abstract

  41. Preoperative Computer Simulation and Patient-specific Guides are Safe and Effective to Correct Forearm Deformity in Children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2017 Oct/Nov; 37(7):504-510. View Abstract

  42. Functional Assessment of Children and Adolescents with Symbrachydactyly: A Unilateral Hand Malformation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017 Jul 05; 99(13):1119-1128. View Abstract

  43. Ultrasound Screening for Posterior Shoulder Dislocation in Infants with Persistent Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017 May 03; 99(9):778-783. View Abstract

  44. Incarcerated Medial Epicondyle Fractures With Elbow Dislocation: Risk Factors Associated With Morbidity. J Pediatr Orthop. 2017 Apr 24. View Abstract

  45. Neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Without Sedation Correlates With Injury Severity in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy. J Hand Surg Am. 2017 May; 42(5):335-343. View Abstract

  46. Non-Sedated Rapid Volumetric Proton Density MRI Predicts Neonatal Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy Functional Outcome. J Neuroimaging. 2017 03; 27(2):248-254. View Abstract

  47. Symbrachydactyly. Hand (N Y). 2016 09; 11(3):262-270. View Abstract

  48. Boston Children's Hospital approach to brachial plexus birth palsy. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2016 Jul; 25(4):296-304. View Abstract

  49. Problematic Pediatric Hand and Wrist Fractures. JBJS Rev. 2016 05 03; 4(5). View Abstract

  50. Distal femoral aspect ratios throughout childhood: an MRI study of normative data and sex comparisons. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2016 May; 25(3):241-4. View Abstract

  51. Surgical Correction of Cubitus Varus. J Hand Surg Am. 2016 Mar; 41(3):447-52. View Abstract

  52. Obesity in children with brachial plexus birth palsy. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2015 Nov; 24(6):541-5. View Abstract

  53. Pediatric Trigger Digits. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 Nov; 40(11):2304-9; quiz 2309. View Abstract

  54. Potential barriers to randomized clinical trials in infants with brachial plexus birth palsy. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2015 Sep; 24(5):381-4. View Abstract

  55. The use of computer-aided design and 3-dimensional models in the treatment of forearm malunions in children. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2015 Mar; 19(1):23-6. View Abstract

  56. Late reconstruction of brachial plexus birth palsy. J Pediatr Orthop. 2014 Oct-Nov; 34 Suppl 1:S57-62. View Abstract

  57. The quality of pediatric orthopaedic information on the internet. J Pediatr Orthop. 2014 Jun; 34(4):474-7. View Abstract

  58. The relationship between medical malpractice litigation and parent reports of patient function following neonatal brachial plexus palsy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2014 Mar 05; 96(5):373-9. View Abstract

  59. Papillary endothelial hyperplasia in association with vascular malformation of the hand. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2014; 23(2):111-4. View Abstract

  60. Free vascularized fibular transfer with langenskiöld procedure for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2013 Sep; 17(3):144-50. View Abstract

  61. Dynamic sonographic evaluation of posterior shoulder dislocation secondary to brachial plexus birth palsy injury. J Ultrasound Med. 2013 Sep; 32(9):1531-4. View Abstract

  62. Disruption of the radial/ulnar axis:congenital longitudinal deficiencies. J Hand Surg Am. 2013 Nov; 38(11):2293-302; quiz 2302. View Abstract

  63. Characteristics of emergency department transfers for hand surgery consultation. Hand (N Y). 2013 Mar; 8(1):12-6. View Abstract

  64. Intra-articular corrective osteotomy of humeral lateral condyle malunions in children: early clinical and radiographic results. J Pediatr Orthop. 2013 Jan; 33(1):20-5. View Abstract

  65. Lack of replication of seven pancreatic cancer susceptibility loci identified in two Asian populations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Feb; 22(2):320-3. View Abstract

  66. Risk factors for posttraumatic heterotopic ossification of the elbow: case-control study. J Hand Surg Am. 2012 Jul; 37(7):1422-9.e1-6. View Abstract

  67. Mycobacterial hand infections occurring postoperatively in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors for inflammatory arthritis: report of three cases. J Hand Surg Am. 2010 Jan; 35(1):104-8. View Abstract

  68. The effect of limb length discrepancy on health-related quality of life: is the '2 cm rule' appropriate? J Pediatr Orthop B. 2006 Jan; 15(1):1-5. View Abstract

  69. Pediatric orthopaedic injuries: the effect of treatment on school attendance. J Pediatr Orthop. 2005 Sep-Oct; 25(5):661-5. View Abstract

Children are not simply little adults, as any parent knows. Children’s orthopedics is very different from adult orthopedics: we need to work toward not only the child and family’s current goals, but also plan for a lifetime of activity. The hospital can be a scary place for patients who are young, in pain or in need of a nap. My goal is to combine patience and flexibility with knowledge of anatomy and child development to make children’s office and surgery experience as pleasant as possible.

As a pediatric hand and upper extremity specialist, I work with children from birth through college-age to improve function. I treat all conditions of the hand and arm, with a special interest in brachial plexus and other nerve injuries as well as congenital hand differences.

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