Medical Liability Consultants, Inc. Glossary Medical Malpractice

Erbs Palsy Erbs palsy is a medical condition involving trauma to the brachial plexus group of nerve fibers extending bilaterally from the spinal cord to the shoulder area and through the upper extremities. Signs and Symptoms Loss of muscle control Limpness and low muscle tone in the arm muscles Decreased sensation Partial or complete paralysis Birth Complications and Erbs Palsy Ninety percent of Erbs palsy cases in children are the result of birth injuries. Shoulder dystocia is the most common birth complication that causes Erbs palsy. Shoulder dystocia is defined as a difficult childbirth during which the baby's shoulder becomes impacted on the mother's pelvis. While Erbs Palsy is a rare birth injury, affecting two newborns for every 1,000 births, it can involve significant injury and trauma. McRobert's maneuver Suprapubic pressure (or Rubin I) Rubin II Posterior pressure on the anterior shoulder Woods' screw maneuver Jacquemier's maneuver (also called Barnum's maneuver) Zavanelli's maneuver Internal cephalic replacement followed by Cesarean section Symphisiotomy The Four Types of Erbs Palsy Neurapraxia (Stretch Injury) - involves the nerve stretching without any tearing of the fibers and has the greatest chance of healing without medical intervention. Rupture - A nerve tear in the brachial plexus, but not at the spinal cord. If the tear occurs at another point other than where the nerves attach to the spinal cord, the injury has a good chance of healing without intervention. Neuroma - The result of scar tissue build up at the torn nerve site. Avulsion - The most severe case of Erbs palsy, avulsion is the total tearing of the nerves away from the spinal cord. Surgical Procedures and Effectiveness Approximately 80 percent of all children with Erbs Palsy will recover without medical intervention

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