Texas mothers expect to get the best care when going through the process of labor. Medical standards today mean that many pregnant people get through the process in a safe way. But unfortunately, there is still the potential for accidents. Situations still end up mishandled.
This is what causes birth injuries to happen. Erb’s palsy is a type of birth injury. It may affect your child through the earliest months of their life.
The prognosis of Erb’s palsy
OrthoInfo discusses brachial plexus palsy, otherwise known as Erb’s palsy. First, the prognosis is a good one. Most children with Erb’s palsy make a full recovery. It is rare for a child’s Erb’s palsy to persist, especially if treated early. Many treatment methods are available. In particular, physical therapy is effective.
Degrees of injury with Erb’s palsy
Erb’s palsy itself results in a limited use of the arm. It targets the brachial plexus nerves, hence the name. This cluster of nerves controls everything from the shoulder to the hand. The degree of damage determines how the injury affects the arm. For example, some children have difficulty lifting their arm all the way. Others may struggle with fine motor skills. They do not control their fingers well. Others may not have the ability to move the affected arm at all.
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy center around nerve damage. You will likely notice that your child has difficulty moving one arm. They may also experience weakness in that arm. Also, they may experience loss of sensation or feeling. But due to the child’s age, this is harder to tell unless they get injured and do not react. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help.