Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury often caused by trauma during birth. Approximately one to two in every 2,000 babies born each year suffers a brachial plexus injury—that is, an injury affecting a group of nerves that travels from the neck to the hands along the spinal cord. Erb’s palsy, in particular, affects shoulder and elbow motion, causing weakness or paralysis. In severe cases of Erb’s palsy, the whole arm is affected.

Erb’s Palsy Nerve Injuries

Erb’s palsy is characterized by one or more of the following types of nerve injuries:

• Avulsion—This type of injury occurs when the nerve is torn from the spinal column.
• Rupture—With ruptures, the nerve is torn but remains attached to the spine.
• Stretch—The nerve’s function is limited by scar tissue that has formed around the damaged area.
• Neurapraxia—A mild form of nerve injury, neurapraxia occurs when the nerve’s impulse is interrupted.

Treatment of Erb’s Palsy

Treatment for Erb’s palsy largely depends on the severity of the nerve injury. Though mild cases tend to heal on their own, exercise and physical therapy help to ensure a full recovery. However, if the infant has not healed after several months, surgery may be necessary.

Severe cases of Erb’s palsy, typically those that involve an avulsion or rupture, often require surgery for nerve grafting or nerve transfer. The best results are seen when the surgery is performed on infants between three and six months of age.  Surgery becomes less successful as time passes. 

Additional Erb’s palsy treatments may include:

• Neurolysis—a procedure in which scar tissue is cleared from the nerve
• Secondary surgeries such as tendon transfer and osteotomy (arm correction)
• Physical therapy

In all cases of Erb’s palsy, early evaluation is key to determining the best, most effective course of treatment.

Erb’s Palsy Causes and Risk Factors

Erb’s palsy is generally caused by nerve damage to an infant during delivery. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of Erb’s palsy, including:

• Breech position
• Prolonged labor
• The baby is large (more than 9lbs)
• The mother’s pelvis is narrow or abnormally shaped

Erb’s palsy may also be caused by the use of excessive force during delivery, particularly when forceps or vacuum extraction are used.

When to Contact an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

Erb’s palsy is not always preventable, but exercising sound medical judgment and adhering to accepted standards of care can reduce the risk of—if not altogether prevent—this condition. However, medical staff sometimes make mistakes. In some cases, errors are due to inadequate training or improper judgment; in others, mistakes are made due to sheer negligence. Even if unintentional, mistakes in the delivery room have consequences and those who have been injured are entitled to legal recourse.

If there were complications such as those listed above during your child’s delivery, medical negligence or malpractice may be to blame for your child’s condition. Contact Burke & Eisner today for a free case evaluation. We’ll be glad to hear the circumstances of your case, advise you of your legal options and answer any questions you may have.

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See Also:

• ErbsPalsyLawyer
• Medical Malpractice

Cerebral Palsy Law Blog