Erb’s Palsy
What is it?
What is it?
- The 5th and 6th (sometimes 7th as well) nerve roots that innervate the arm are damaged, which results in adduction and internal rotation of the shoulder, and pronation of the forearm, typically known as “waiter’s tip” position.
- The most common cause is dystocia. According to Wikipedia “Obstructed labour, also known as labour dystocia, is when, even though the uterus is contracting normally, the baby does not exit the pelvis during childbirth due to being physically blocked.”
- Weakness of the shoulder muscles and the forearm flexors
- If the 7th cervical nerve root is involved then the triceps and wrist extensor are weak
- If complete brachial plexus injury then the motor and sensory function of the hand is also affected
- This is usually a newborn condition so that is the reason, I believe, that I did not find any data about pain
- Repeated observation
- Passive and active range of motion with description of pattern of movement
- Depending on age of child, either the British Medical Research Council scale or the Gilbert scale is used to assess strength
- Usually occurs during delivery of a newborn
- Waiter’s tip position with shoulder adduction and internal rotation and forearm pronation