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Erbs palsy is a medical condition characterized by weakness and loss of motion in the arm. Erbs palsy is a birth injury to the brachial plexus, specifically the upper brachial plexus at birth. Erb’s palsy is known as shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus palsy since the brachial plexus nerves in the shoulder have been abnormally injured, damaged during difficult delivery.  The brachial plexus is network of nerves that extend from the spine, through the neck and armpit area, and down the arm.

The main reason for Erbs palsy is dystocia, an abnormal or difficult childbirth or labor. In this case, infant’s neck is stretched to the side during a difficult delivery. It mainly happened when the infant’s head and neck are withdrawn toward the side with simultaneous pass of the shoulders through the birth canal.

A similar condition may be also seen at any age after trauma or injury to the head and shoulder, if nerves of the plexus are violently stretched.

  • Inability to move arm or shoulder
  • Arm bent toward body
  • Weak or absent reflexes in the affected arm
  • Loss of feeling in the affected arm
  • In some cases, pain in the affected arm
  • Decreased ability to grip in the affected arm
  • Waiter’s tip posture

Some children with Erbs palsy heal without treatment. In fact, many of them usually show improvement after three or four months of birth, however it may take one or two years to recover. Most of children with Erbs palsy will have normal arm, and shoulder functions. The main treatment for Erbs palsy is physical therapy. Surgery may be the last option in some severe cases.

Physical Therapists are professionals, educated and trained to administer interventions. As stated in The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice interventions are the skilled and purposeful use of physical therapy methods and techniques to produce changes consistent with the diagnosis, prognosis, and the goals of the patient or client.

In the first 6 months, the main goal of treatment is prevention of fixed deformity. The daily administration of exercise therapy is highly recommended to maintain range of motion (ROM), and improve muscle strength and performance. The parent role is to actively maintaining ROM and monitoring the right muscle fit. Exercises should include bimanual or bilateral motor planning activities. Sensory stimulation is also advised as an effective way to increase awareness of the arm. Electrical stimulation, and constraint induced movement therapy could be also beneficial.

The three most common treatments for Erb’s Palsy are: Nerve transplants, Sub Scapularis releases and Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfers.

Nerve transplant

From the opposite arm or limb, may be performed on babies under 9 month age. It cannot be made over the age of 9 months since it may carry risks other than benefits.

Subscapularis release

Can be performed at any age. It is a “Z” shape into the subscapularis muscle to enhance the stretch within the arm. Integrity of muscles can be negative affected, if subscapularis releases are performed repeatedly on the same arm.

Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer

Is performed by cutting the Latissimus Dorsi in half horizontally to withdraw part of the muscle around and link it to the outside of the biceps. Parts of the biceps may be highly sensitized as a consequence of this operation.

Prognosis

It is dependent on both the severity of injury, and beginning of treatment. In fact, the earlier the treatment starts, the better the results. With physical therapy interventions, majority of mild cases may completely relieve in the first year or life. Good prognosis is seen with effective hand grasp during treatment.

If Erb’s palsy lefts untreated, it may lead to:

  • Full or partial paralysis could be seen in the affected arm
  • Constant and permanent arm weakness and numbness
  • Muscle atrophy (a decrease in the mass of the muscle)

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“After my bilateral hip replacement I had a choice where to do my outpatient therapy. I chose to go to Twin Boro because of the positive experience I had there previously. Every staff person I worked with knew what they were doing, were friendly and contributed to a very positive experience for me.”

Wiken

“I loved being a patient at your facility because your therapist went by my and the doctors needs. I was there not only at the old location in somerset but also I went to the new location to in North Brunswick, which I loved it was bigger and better. All of the therapist are so friendly and nice and treated you with respect. I was treated by not only Melvie but also Nick and both are so professional and gentle of the way they did my treatments. If I ever need to have physical therapy in the future I will deffinately come back to your facility for you are very professional and well organized. I have been to other places but your facility beats them all.”

Christine

“The staff is very professional and their concern for their patients is outstanding. It has been a very positive experience. My condition has been improving steadily.”

Henry

I have been a customer at Twin Boro in the Hadley Center Mall, South Plainfield off and on for over a year, in the care of Brianna Patane. I am writing to commend the staff there on their friendly and helpful customer service and professional and personal approach to physical therapy. In particular I want to let you know what an asset to Twin Boro Brianna is. She is an outstanding physical therapist who provides a great exercise program to use both onsite and at home, and also utilizes deep massage to increase blood flow to the injured area, which also helps make the injured area feel better. Her friendly and professional approach to PT made my experience there more enjoyable then I ever thought PT could be, and the results and improvement to my injury were noticeable at once and were long-lasting. Not only are her PT skills top notch, but her enjoyment of working with people made it a joy to have her as my physical therapist. She is the best! Having a 41-year career myself, I know employees like Brianna do not come along every day, and my suggestion is that Twin Boro do whatever is necessary to keep this valuable employee on your staff. She is a tremendous physical therapist.

Lisa W.

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