27/06/2023
E R B’S P A L S Y
Erb’s Palsy, a form of obstetric brachial plexus disorder.
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Erb's palsy typically affects one or two of every 1,000 babies. It is an injury that occurs when the nerves in a baby’s upper arm are damaged as a result of a lesion at Erb’s point - the area near the baby’s neck where the fifth and sixth cranial nerves merge to create the upper point of the brachial plexus. This is frequently caused by shoulder dystocia during a difficult birth. Infants with this condition usually can’t move the affected shoulder or upper arm, but they may be able to wiggle their fingers.
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A baby with Erb's Palsy may exhibit weakness in the affected arm, or possibly won't be able to move it. Symptoms can range from signs of weakness or soreness to total or partial paralysis of the arm. The most common signs to look out for include: • Limpness in the arm, held against the side of the body and bent at the elbow.
• Decreased ability to grip with the hand on the affected side.
• Partial or full paralysis.
• Loss of sensory and/or motor function in the upper arm.
• Arm numbness.
• Impaired circulatory, muscular, and nervous development.
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Mild cases of Erb’s palsy may clear up within three to six months with physical therapy. Around 70 to 80% of all cases usually clear up within a year with proper and consistent treatment. The younger the infant is when treatment begins, the better the results are. In some rare cases, infants may live with lifelong problems due to Erb’s palsy, and may suffer permanent functional loss in the affected arm.
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The most common treatment for Erb's palsy is physical therapy. The type of exercises we use for an infant are very mild and gentle and commonly include massage and stretching as well as a range of strength, stimulation and motion exercises.
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If you're concerned that your child is showing symptoms of Erb's palsy, or that the condition in your child is not improving, don't hesitate to get in touch with us or your GP👶
