What Are The Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy?

Children who exhibit symptoms of Erb’s palsy may have been injured during birth, possibly entitling families to compensation for their injuries.

What is Erb’s palsy?

Erb’s palsy is the partial or complete paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the nerves in the shoulder. The condition can vary from simple bruising to complete tearing of the shoulder nerves, typically nerves C5 through C6.

Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, Erb’s palsy can be permanent or temporary. Some damage may resolve without treatment, some may need physical therapy, and more severe damage may need surgery.

“Although not carefully studied, a persistent Erb’s palsy may affect the child’s quality of life and self-esteem,” scientists and doctors note in this article from Paediatrics & Child Health. “Sporting activities are affected, as well as activities of daily living (for example, dressing in a tight sweater)” for a child diagnosed with this birth injury.

What are the symptoms of Erb’s palsy?

Symptoms of Erb’s palsy include weakness in one arm, loss of feeling in the arm, and partial or total paralysis of the arm.

In infants, the affected arm may hang limply from the shoulder, with the wrist and fingers flexed. According to researchers, this is because of weakness in the muscles controlled by certain areas of the spine affected.

How is Erb’s palsy diagnosed?

If a child starts to present with symptoms of arm weakness or paralysis, their pediatrician may diagnose them with Erb’s palsy. From here, doctors may order additional testing including x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and other imaging to assess the damage to the nerves. This process may also include electromyogram (EMG) or a nerve conduction study (NCS) to evaluate nerve signals.

How is Erb’s palsy treated?

Non-surgical treatment for Erb’s palsy may include physical therapy. Parents have to take an active role in these exercises because the child may not be able to move the affected arm.

Even if exercises do not help with recovery, they are essential to maintaining joint health. If joints are paralyzed, they need to be moved regularly to keep joints from getting stiff, maintaining range of motion, and keeping muscles fit. Failing to keep up with these exercises can lead to “joint contracture”, where the joint becomes permanently stiff.

Surgical treatment may also be an option for Erb’s palsy treatment. Microsurgery, including nerve grafts and nerve transfers, use high powered microscopes and specialized tools to make repairs to the nerves. Other surgical treatments may focus more on quality of life outcomes, including the release of joint contractures and tendon transfer.

How is Erb’s palsy caused?

Erb’s palsy may be caused by trauma during birth. Labor can be physically taxing on infants if they are large or in the breech position (feet down), or if the labor takes a long time.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, doctors and medical professionals may contribute to Erb’s palsy if they pull on the baby during labor. This may stretch one side of the baby’s neck, which can damage the shoulder nerves.

Living with Erb’s Palsy

Through many infants with symptoms of Erb’s Palsy will be able to recover through physical therapy and surgery, the condition may be permanent in others. However, there are notable celebrities and athletes who have Erb’s Palsy, but have not let the condition get in the way of their success.

NFL player Adrian Clayborn has not let Erb’s Palsy slow him down, according to CBS Boston. Clayborn told reporters that he has had to work harder with the condition due to the limitations of his right arm. He says that he has to lift different weights with each arm while working out and his arms are slightly different sizes.

According to Clayborn, his doctors did not encourage him to play football, but he persevered. He has reportedly played for the Buccaneers, the Falcons, and the Patriots.

DJ Paul, of Three 6 Mafia, was also born with Erb’s Palsy, reports Distractify. Though Paul hasn’t officially addressed his arm in public, it hasn’t stopped him from becoming an incredibly successful DJ. Reportedly, he only sleeps three hours each night and has won an Oscar for his work. Paul keeps his arm affected by Erb’s Palsy covered in a cast.