Erb's Palsy is the name of a medical affliction. This illness is apparent in certain symptoms that appear at birth. This condition appears when the child's brachial plexus is damaged. The nerves that surround the shoulder make up this area. In some medical references, this condition is known as Erb-Duchenned, brachial plexus palsy, and Klumpke paralysis.
When diagnosing Erb's Palsy, weakness or lack of motion in the arm is often a symptom that is looked for. A range of impairment can be seen in children with this condition, ranging from an avulsion, in which the nerve and spine are no longer connected, to a rupture, in which the nerve is torn. Although a scale is used to denote the level of impairment, with each level being given differing names, all fall under the umbrella of Erb's Palsy.
Those who suffer from Erb's Palsy have the condition because of problems stemming from the nerves. Information is transmitted from the arms to the brachial plexus, which is a bundle of nerves located near the neck, and allows for mobility and sensation in the fingers, hands, and arms. When a patient suffers from this condition, it is often the result of a complicated birth, in which the cervix of the mother blocked the child's shoulder.
This disorder is called shoulder dystosia. What then occurs is that the brachial nerves are pulled to the side when the shoulders are attempting to leave the birth canal. Brachial nerve damage may result when the force on the infant's shoulders becomes too much to bear, which often takes place when the shoulders become lodged in the cervix of the mother. If the baby's feet come out before the head, termed a breach birth, this often results in a raising of the arms which can cause damage due to the force applied.
The number of Erb's Palsy cases has been significantly reduced by recent advancements in birthing technology, but they are seen on occasion. Those babies that are especially large might experience problems even with these advanced techniques. It becomes more likely, the larger the size of the baby, that the nerves may be damaged during childbirth. Parents may be comforted to learn that often, this injury to the nerves will heal, resulting in a full recovery to the arm in 6 to 12 months. The prognosis for a recovery is much better in the case of neuropraxia or neuroma, which are considered less damaging to the nerves, but self-healing does not happen with a ruptured nerve or avulsion.
The injury to the nerve is permanent if it is caused by a rupture or avulsion, because it has been distended to the point of being scarred or is not attached to the spine at all.
If proper physical therapy is applied early after detection of Erb's Palsy, it is possible for the patient to regain some lost functionality even with permanent injury.
Exercises for the purpose of improving mobility, and massages, can be administered as well, which may result in improvement of the muscles. If your baby has more extensive damage he or she may require surgery. If the nerves are so impaired that their functionality is diminished completely, a transplant of tendons may be beneficial.
If you have reason to believe that your infant's impairment is not being treated in the best possible manner, consulting with legal counsel may be helpful. Make sure that you find an Erb's Palsy attorney or Erb's Palsy lawyer that is qualified and specializes in these highly technical cases.
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