Trusted Erb’s Palsy Injury Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Erb's Palsy is a type of brachial plexus palsy. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves originating near the neck and shoulders and traveling down the arm. This group of nerves controls the muscles of the shoulder, arm and hand.

Sometimes, brachial plexus injuries occur during childbirth, particularly when excessive traction is used on the baby's head or neck during delivery. Some brachial plexus injuries are more severe than others.

Erb's Palsy results from damage to the upper group of nerves. A child with Erb's Palsy generally has an arm that is rotated toward the body. The arm is weak or paralyzed, and sometimes there is a loss of sensation. The affected arm may also grow more slowly than the uninjured arm, resulting in size differences.

An Erb's Palsy birth injury usually results from resolving a shoulder dystocia during delivery. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the fetal shoulder becomes lodged behind the maternal pelvic bone. As the physician twists and pulls on the baby, they may injure the nerves stemming from C5 - C6 (called "Erb's point"). The degree of injury ranges from mild trauma to complete severance. There are three general categories of injury severity:

Neuropraxia is the most common type of nerve injury, and it is the mildest. It is usually caused by an excess of pressure on the nerve or stretching, which results in injury and swelling. With neuropraxia, the axis and the sheath of the nerve remain intact. However, nerve conduction is blocked. Neuropraxia generally resolves on its own as the nerve heals. The length of time for recovery could be hours or it could be months, depending on the severity.

Axonotmesis means that the nerve axons are damaged such that they are no longer completely intact. For the injury to heal, the axon must regrow. Sometimes, scar tissue forms which interferes with regrowth. These injuries take longer to heal - at least several months. If scar tissue is present, surgery may be needed to aid with healing.

Neurotmesis is the most severe nerve injury. With neurotmesis there is a complete severing or rupture of the nerve. Surgery is required, and this nerve injury will not heal spontaneously.

Sadly, many brachial plexus injuries are the result of physician negligence and could have been prevented.

There are risk factors for shoulder dystocia that, when present, can inform the decision to perform a c-section and prevent injury. Here are the most common risk factors:

• ​History of shoulder dystocia in prior delivery
• Fetal weight greater than 4,000 g
• Gestational diabetes
• Maternal weight gain greater than 35 pounds
• Maternal obesity
• Post-term delivery
• Number of prior pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age

The treatment of Erb's Palsy depends on the severity of the nerve injury. Many times, minor injuries resolve spontaneously. Physical therapy can help resolve mild nerve damage. Therapy is directed not only at resolving the nerve injury, but also increasing range of motion and muscle strength while the nerve heals. Gentle massage can also help. The physical therapist will teach you how to properly massage your baby and move his or her arm.

​If the nerve has not healed within about 3 - 6 months, your doctor might recommend surgery. There are several available surgeries. One is called nerve grafting, where a section of healthy nerve is transferred to the injured area to prompt regrowth. Another type of surgery is called nerve decompression. That is a minimally invasive procedure where a tool is used to decompress the nerves.

The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury. Mild cases generally resolve completely with no long-term complications. In fact, between 70 and 80% of cases fully resolve within a year with appropriate treatment.

​Other times, the child could have functional loss and muscular limitations. The affected arm may grow slower than the unaffected arm, resulting in size differences. Care must be taken to help children permanently affected by Erb's Palsy develop self-esteem and teach them to compensate for any limitations.

If your child's brachial plexus or other birth injury was the result of medical malpractice, your child may be entitled to damages that could help him or her both now and in the future.