Injury News

Erb’s Palsy is a type of brachial plexus palsy and the terms are often used interchangeably. Erb’s Palsy results from injury to the nerves controlling the upper arm and shoulder. Specifically, Erb’s Palsy involves paralysis of the fifth (C5) and sixth (C6) cervical nerves. Erb’s Palsy can cause a variety of complications in its victims. A child with Erb’s Palsy may have no movement or feeling in his shoulder/arm. Uncontrolled movement is characteristic of Erb’s Palsy, as is maintaining use of the hands, but not the shoulder or elbow muscles. Outwardly, Erb’s Palsy appears with the arm turned towards the body, with an elbow that will not bend. Recovery for Erb’s Palsy ranges from mild with an excellent chance for full recovery to severe with no improvement. Erb’s Palsy, like brachial plexus palsy, can immediately be diagnosed upon delivery. This means that babies with Erb’s Palsy can begin treatment to ensure fullest possible recovery of the use of the arm. Correcting Erb’s Palsy depends somewhat upon the extent to which the nerves heal. Parents of a child with Erb’s Palsy should have a therapist work with the baby, mimicking muscular movement in the good arm. Erb’s Palsy can also be treated surgically, using grafts of muscle, tendon, and nerve tissue to repair damages.