By Miles Rose
Erb’s palsy is an injury caused on the brachial plexus during birth, resulting in trauma to the brain or spinal cord, and is commonly exacerbated by pulling on a baby’s shoulder during birth. The brachial plexus refers to a nerve network that provides mobility and sensation to the back, arm, hand, and fingers and is located near the spine. Shoulder dystocia, which occurs when a baby’s arms get trapped in the birth canal, may also trigger brachial plexus damage. Symptoms include arm weakness, numbness, paralysis, and motion failure. It may affect both children and adults.
The four categories of this disorder include
Neuropraxia
This is the mildest form and occurs when the plexus is stretched and strained without tearing. It’s the easiest form to treat and is common in many newborns. The brachial plexus is strained or shocked but does not break in neuropraxia, the mildest type of Erb’s Palsy. This is the easiest and most common form to work with. While it usually recovers fully within three months, it may cause a lot of pain and discomfort during this time.
Neuroma
This is the result of more severe stretching that results in damage to certain nerve fibers. As a consequence, scarring and pain can occur, and long-term healing is typically just partial. It causes the same burning symptoms as neuropraxia and can recover – but not always fully. Physical exercise and anesthesia are commonly used to aid rehabilitation.
Rupture
This is a nerve tearing stretch condition that needs surgical intervention to treat and cannot on its own. This is normally performed by a surgeon who splices and grafts a healthier nerve from another section of the body onto the injured region, which restores strength, endurance, and comfort – although there may also be challenges following surgery.
Avulsions
This is the most severe form of Erb’s palsy. In this case, the nerve has been torn completely from the spinal cord. The child’s arm will be rendered completely motionless, but surgery can help.
A surgeon will administer a clinical assessment to assess arm weakness in a child or older patient to ascertain whether they have Erb’s palsy. He or she will then use sophisticated medical techniques and technologies to accurately assess the disease, guide recovery, and keep a close eye on it. Electromyogram (EMG), imaging tests, and nerve conduction studies are all possible diagnostic procedures.
The legal issue
Although your child may recover from Erb’s Palsy without needing intervention, the severe forms needing surgery can be very expensive. The condition is often preventable and may occur due to medical negligence or malpractice during the birthing process. As a parent, you don’t have to carry this burden alone. If you find a legal expert experienced with Erb’s palsy lawsuits, he or she will help you file an Erb’s palsy lawsuit and receive the compensation you deserve. All you need to do is provide all the important medical information to help the lawyer establish why the injury occurred and how much compensation you require.
