Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy

Different types of brachial plexus injuries may be classified as either Erb's Palsy or Klumpke's Palsy. Erb's palsy is one of the most common and serious of all shoulder dystocia injuries, a type of trauma which results from a newborn's shoulder becoming stuck behind the mother's cervix during delivery. It results in damage to the nerves connecting the arm and shoulder from the use of excessive force or torque by the obstetrician, to release the stuck shoulder of the newborn.

More specifically, when a baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pubic bone the baby's head delivers but the shoulders do not follow. This condition is known as a shoulder dystocia. It is one of the most difficult obstacles that can occur during delivery because it carries with it the potential for high risk complications. At this point the physician must perform a particular delivery maneuver avoiding the placement of pressure on the shoulder. If this procedure is done improperly, an Erb's Palsy can occur where the nerve tissue between the arm and shoulder is stretched, partially torn or completely ruptured.

These nerves are reffered to as the "brachial plexus nerves" and emerge from the spinal cord, travel across the shoulder, along the arms, into the hand and ultimately, to the fingers tips. The injury which results to these nerves can cause the shoulder dystocia victim to suffer a potentially permanent, partial or complete paralysis of the arm.

A properly trained obstetrician will identify shoulder dystocia risks and take steps to avoid injury during delivery.

Klumpke's palsy is a lower plexus injury, frequently resulting in paralysis of the hand and wrist, which results from a similar situation to that of Erb's palsy.

Symptoms of Erb's Palsy

Symptoms of Erb's Palsy are usually very obvious. A baby suffering from Erb's Palsy will be seen with the affected arm laying by their side and an extended elbow devoid of movement.

The injuries that are associated to Erb's palsy are the neck, clavicle, shoulder, and arm. Some precautions or problems that should be evaluated for signs of brachial plexus injuries are shoulder or elbow dislocation, a frozen shoulder, soft tissue or joint contractures. Lifting a child with Erb's Palsy from under the armpits should always be avoided.

Examples of different symptoms of Erb's palsy can include:

1. No muscle control and no feeling in the arm or hand.
2. The ability to move but with little control.
3. The use of hands but not of the shoulder or elbow.
4. The entire arm may be paralyzed with the hand and fingers hanging limp.
5. Facial paralysis on the affected side.
6. Not able to sit up without assistance
7. The inability to crawl without the use of therapeutic devices.

If you feel your child suffers from a brachial plexus injury such as Erb's Palsy and wish to bring legal action to compensate your child for their physical and emotional damages, please contact us online for a free evaluation.

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