Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a is a condition caused due to Brachial Plexus injury and can result in partial or total paralysis of the face, hand or arm. The most common cause for Erb’s Palsy is dystocia, an abnormal or very difficult childbirth. If the infant’s head and shoulders are twisted, undue stress can be placed on the Brachial Plexus, stretching or damaging these nerves and therefore causing paralysis. In some cases, these nerves may repair themselves, but in many cases they require extensive physical therapy or even surgery.
Brachial Plexus injury and Erb’s Palsy can occur naturally, but many times occurs due to medical malpractice. Some of these causes include:
- Failure to perform cesarean section when necessary
- Failure to properly move an impacted shoulder during childbirth
- Failure to turn an infant and position him or her properly for vaginal delivery
- Not using alternative birth techniques for an infant that is too large for the birth canal
The signs of Erb’s Palsy include loss of sensation in the arm and paralysis and atrophy of the deltoid, biceps, and brachialis muscles. It can leave the patient with impaired muscular and nervous development. The impact of Erb’s Palsy on an infant is profound and life-long. Usually it is difficult or impossible for the patient to grip or lift objects. Even with the best treatment currently available, the most severely injured children can have substantial, lifelong functional limitations with regard to use of the affected arm and/or hand.
