Erb’s Palsy
The term "Erb's Palsy" refers to injury to a group of nerves coming from the spinal chord in the neck that assist in the functioning of the shoulder, arm and hand. The nerves exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, and travel under the collar bone or clavicle, and then into the arm. These nerves are referred to as the "Brachial Plexus." The brachial plexus can be injured by stretching, tearing or crushing of these nerves. Obstetrical Brachial Plexus injury occurs when the nerves are injured during the delivery of a child on account of pulling on the arm and the brachial plexus. About 2 out of 1000 babies are born with Erb's Palsy.
Brachial Plexus injuries can occur during delivery, often in situations where the baby is unusually large, where the baby's shoulder becomes lodged in the birth canal, or in cases of prolonged delivery. In these instances, the brachial plexus is stretched or torn in an attempt to deliver the child. The condition can be diagnosed immediately after birth, but is often delayed for days, weeks or months. The common symptoms include: limited ranges of arm motion, weakness in the arm, difficulty carrying objects, a reluctance to use the arm, and the inability to perform simple tasks with the arm.
The nerves to the arm, hand and fingers exit the spinal cord between the bones (vertebrae) of the neck and travel into the arm below the collarbone (clavicle). The nerves to the arm exit high in the neck; those that go to the hand and fingers exit lower in the neck, just above the chest. These nerves branch and join together near where the neck joins the shoulder, in an area called the brachial plexus.
Links: Erb'sPalsy.net
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stoke
American Association of Neuromusclular and Electrodiagnostic
United Brachial Plexus Network
If you are concerned about whether your child has Erb's Palsy or whether it was caused by physician or hospital error, contact us online or call Theodoros & Rooth at
