Stretching Forceps
Erb's Palsy - What is it
Erb's palsy is caused by a trauma during birth and it is a type of brachial plexus injury. Approximately one to two in every 2,000 babies born each year suffers a brachial plexus injurythat is, an injury affecting a group of nerves that travels from the neck to the hands along the spinal cord. Erbs palsy, in particular, affects shoulder and elbow motion, causing weakness or paralysis. When Erb's palsy is severe the whole arm is affected.
Erbs Palsy Nerve Injuries
Erbs palsy is characterized by one or more of the following types of nerve injuries:
- AvulsionThis type of injury occurs when the nerve is torn from the spinal column.
- Rupture- The nerve has a tear in it but remains attached to the spine.
- Stretch-Around the damaged area is scar tissue and that limits the function of the nerve.
- Neurapraxia-This is a mild form of nerve injury, it happens when the nerve's impulse is interfered with.
Treatment of Erbs Palsy
Treatment for Erbs palsy largely depends on the severity of the nerve injury. Though in cases that are mild, it can heal on its own but to ensure a full recovery physical therapy and exercise can help. If several months pass and your infant is still not healed, surgery may be advised.
In severe cases surgery is required for nerve grafting or transfer, this usually involves an avulsion or rupture. 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 Erbs palsy treatments may include:
- Neurolysisa 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 Erbs palsy, early evaluation is key to determining the best, most effective course of treatment.
Erbs Palsy Causes and Risk Factors
Erbs palsy is generally caused by nerve damage to an infant during delivery. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of Erbs palsy, including:
- Breech position
- Prolonged labor
- The baby is large (more than 9lbs)
- The mothers pelvis is narrow or abnormally shaped
Erbs palsy may also be caused by the use of excessive force during delivery, particularly when forceps or vacuum extractionis used.
When to Contact an Erbs Palsy Lawyer
Erbs palsy is not always preventable, but exercising sound medical judgment and adhering to accepted standards of care can reduce the risk ofif not altogether preventthis condition. The medical professional can make errors. There are cases where mistakes happen because the training was not done correctly or they made a bad judgment call; in other cases errors are made just out of negligence. Though errors can occur during delivery and are not done intentionally consequences should still be given and victims are entitled to take legal action.
If there were complications such as those listed above during your childs delivery, medical negligence or malpractice may be to blame for your childs condition. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. Bring in your claim and we will listen to your circumstance; we can answer any questions you have regarding your claim and advise you of your options.
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