Frequently Asked Questions - Erb's Palsy
Erb's Palsy - are the symptoms?
What causes Erb's Palsy?
Erb's Palsy treatement?
What are the symptoms for Erb's Palsy?
In Erb';s Palsy, sometimes, the affected arm is noticeably smaller than the unaffected arm. This occurs, in part, because the arm is not used as much. This also occurs because normal nerves do have an effect on growth. Although the size difference is permanent, the arm will still grow until the child stops growing. It is the severity of the injury that affects both treatment decisions and the extent of recovery possible.
Erb's Palsy usually occur during a difficult delivery, such as with a large baby, a breech presentation, or a prolonged labor. It may also happen when the person assisting the delivery must deliver the baby quickly and exert some force to pull the baby from the birth canal. If one side of the baby's neck is stretched severely, the nerves may also be stretched, causing the injury. A similar injury may be observed in adults or following a traumatic fall on the side of the neck.
The infant may not be able to move the arm, but may be able to move the fingers. If both the upper and lower nerves are stretched, the condition is usually more severe than just Erb's palsy. This is called a "global," or total, brachial plexus birth palsy.
Because of the loss of sensation from an epidural, a mother may not feel the pushing sensation, and the baby might descend in an awkward position. The use of tools, including forceps or vacuum, to help the baby descend, may increase the risk of shoulder dystocia as well. Studies also suggest an association between an increased risk for shoulder dystocia and the use of labor-inducing drugs.
Some babies recover on their own; however, some may require specialist intervention.
Pediatric neurosurgery is often required for avulsion fracture repair. Lesions may heal over time and function return. Physiotherapeutic care is often required to regain muscle usage. Although range of motion is recovered in many children under one year in age, individuals who have not yet healed after this point will rarely gain full function in their arm and may develop arthritis.
Accident & Injury Cases
- Automobile Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Semi/Truck Accidents
- Aviation Accidents
- Railroad Accidents
- Product Defects
- Medical Device Recalls
- Drug Recalls
- Workers' Compensation
- Mesothelioma
- Accident Settlements & Verdicts
- Our Attorneys
Medical Malpractice
- Cerebral Palsy
- Surgical Errors
- Birth Injuries
- Medication Errors
- Emergency Room Errors
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Late Cancer Diagnosis
- Erb's Palsy
- Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice Results
- Medical Malpractice Team
- Free Malpractice Consultation
Nursing Home Neglect
Interactive Resources
Short Free Evaluation Form
Medical Malpractice Results
- $10M. Spinal cord damage
- $9M. Negligence/Brain damage
- $6M. Settlement with hospital
- $4.8M. Undiagnosed Infection
- $3.3M. Obstetrician Malpractice
- $3M. Gastric-bypass surgery
- $2.99M. Settlement Birth Injury
- Record Verdicts In Rural Ohio
Latest Accident & Injury Results
- 1.9 Million Dollar Settlement for Wrongful Death
- 1.85 Million Dollar Settlement for 59 year old man struck by semi tractor trailer
- $1.05 Million Motor Vehicle Crash
- $1.4 Million Motorcycle Accident
- $1 Million Trucking Accident.
In The News - On Your Side
- Trasylol Recall and Lawsuit
FDA announced that, at the agency's request, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. has agreed to a marketing suspension of Trasylol, a drug used to control bleeding during heart surgery, pending detailed review of preliminary results from a Canadian study that suggested an increased risk for death.
- Videos on Medical Malpractice
Latest videos on news & information regarding medical malpractice and medical errors.
- Elk & Elk Blogs
Elk & Elk Presents an assortment of blogs and articles aimed at educating consumers.
- Baxter Heparin Recall
Latest information on Baxter's Heparin Recall
- Digitek Digoxin Recall
On April 25, 2008 the FDA issued a press release alerting the public to a Class I recall of digoxin made by Digitek.
- Chantix
Latest information on Chantix> Also, listen to Art Elk on The Mike Trivisonno Show discusing then drug Chantix and other tough issues with medical malpractice.