Erb’s palsy

Paralysis of the upper arm and shoulder due to a lesion of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus or the fifth and sixth cervical roots.

Paralysis of the arm due to injury to the brachial plexus, most often during childbirth, also called Erb- Duchenne paralysis.

A partial paralysis of the arm caused by injury to a baby’s brachial plexus during birth. This may happen if, during a difficult delivery, excess traction applied to the head damages the fifth cervical root of the spinal cord. The muscles of the shoulder and the flexors of the elbow are paralyzed and the arm hangs at the side internally rotated at the shoulder.

Erb’s palsy is a usually partial paralysis of the arm due to stretching or tearing of the fibres of the brachial nerve plexus in the armpit. Such damage to the brachial plexus may occur during birth, especially when the baby is unusually large. It presents with the arm lying by the side of the body with elbow extended, forearm pronated, and the fingers flexed. The infant is unable to raise the arm. Spontaneous recovery is common but microsurgery is sometimes needed.

Erb’s palsy is a condition that results in weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the upper arm and shoulder. It originates from damage to the upper roots of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves near the top of the spine. This type of injury can occur during childbirth if there’s excessive pressure on the baby’s head during a difficult delivery, leading to damage to the fifth cervical root of the spinal cord. It can also result from a vehicular accident, especially involving motorcycles, when a forceful impact pushes the head and neck to one side, straining the nerves on the other side severely. A person with Erb’s palsy typically has an arm that hangs limp by their side, rotated inwards at the shoulder.