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Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Erb's Palsy

Erb's Palsy deals with the paralysis of a group of muscles of the shoulder and upper arm. It involves the cervical roots of the 5th and 6th spinal nerves. The arm hangs limp, the hand may rotate inward and normal movements are lost. For example, lifting above the head and gripping are very common losses of movement. These are common problems associated with Erb's Palsy.

The neural lesion results from lateral traction on the shoulder or neck. It occurs during breach delivery when there is difficulty with the arms and in cephalic presentation with should dystocia.

Erb's Palsy involves C-5 and C-6 (cervical vertebra #5 and cervical vertebra #6). The arm hangs limp and is rotated internally. The elbow is extended but flexion of the wrist and fingers is preserved with the palm potentially facing up. A doctor should consider the possibility of Phrenic nerve injury (that being at C-3, 4 and 5). Paralysis of the diaphragm should also be excluded.

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