Erbs Palsy / Brachial Plexus Paralysis

Erbs Palsy usually occurs as a result of birth trauma and is also known as Brachial Palsy or Paralysis. It is a condition which occurs when the brachial plexus, the group of nerves that run from the spinal column in the neck down to the finger tips and which supply the arms and hands are injured. It is most common when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder, called shoulder dystocia.

There are five primary nerves that supply the movement and feeling to an arm and injury to these nerves includes:-

• a mild or severe "stretch" injury where the nerve has been damaged but not torn
• a partial or full "rupture" tear where the nerve is torn but not from where it attaches to the spine
• a partial or full "avulsion" where the nerve is torn from it's origin in the spine
• a neuroma where the nerve has tried to heal itself, but scar tissue has grown around the injury. The scar tissue puts pressure on the injured nerve. As a result, the nerve cannot conduct signals to the muscles

Children with brachial plexus injuries are affected in different ways:

• Some children have no muscle control and no feeling in the arm or hand
• Some children can move their arms, but have little control over the wrist and hand
• Other children can use their hands well but cannot use the shoulder or elbow muscles

The extent of the Erbs Palsy depends on a number of factors such as how many of the nerves have been damaged and how badly they have been damaged. Damage to the nerve can range from bruising to tearing and as such paralysis can be partial or complete. Each injury is different. If the injury caused bruising and swelling around the nerves, movement could return within a few months. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage.

Shoulder Dystocia
Sometimes the baby's shoulder can get stuck underneath the mother's pelvic bone. This is called shoulder dystocia. There are many different ways to dislodge the baby's shoulder safely. However in some cases, particularly when excessive traction on the head is performed while the baby's shoulder is stuck, the brachial plexus nerves in the baby's neck may be injured.

Read about Injuries to Mothers