Has anyone heard of the condition Erbs Palsy? Its where the nerve in the shoulder is damaged during delivery. My baby was 10lb at birth and after 11 hours in labour suffered Shoulder Distocia where his left shoulder got stuck behind my pubic bone therefore damaging the nerve, resulting in erbs palsy. The physio in the **** says that 80% of babies recover but they cannot give us a time frame which is very upsetting. We've been given exercises to do with him so as his muscles dont waste while the nerve is repairing. Just wondering if anyone else has heard of it as until now I hadnt. I found a support group on the web so I've been in touch with them too
Twiggy09
Posted - 26/05/2005 : 11:32:46
Bodmas, I am sorry this has happened to your little boy. I cant help you with this subject but can offer my support as a mother of a baby born with club foot who has had irriversable muscle wastage in both calfs. You will get through whatever you have to get through and come out the other end stronger and wiser and your little fella will know no different. 80% is very high so don't fear the worst before it has happened.
I wish you all the best of luck in his treatment and just be vigilent (sp) in the exercises.
cw
Posted - 26/05/2005 : 15:08:25
Bodmas, I haven't got a child with with Erbs palsy but have seen a few children with it in the past in the course of my work. I would read up on it as much as you can and try to find out how badly they think your little boy's nerve is damaged. I am pretty sure that in certain circumstances the nerve can now be repaired but it all depends on the level of injury.I don't know if anyone is doing this in Ireland but it can be done in London. Talk to the physio and consultant and lots of questions! Thre may also be a role for electrical stimulation but I am not sure how early you can start this.I will do a search for you. Is the support group the Irish one- there was one set up by a mother in Moycullen (with a German surname I can't remember.)
cw
Posted - 26/05/2005 : 15:31:03
Bodmas, How old is your baby?How much movement does he have?I did a google to check about the surgery so I am not misinforming you.It is only recommended if your baby has no functional recovery after four months.
Hopefully he will be one of the 80 perecent and be fine.They can't give a time frame really- nerves grow very slowly and recover at the rate of 1mm a day.Keep up the exercises and best of luck.
rozy
Posted - 26/05/2005 : 23:01:44
Hi Bodmas, My second Ds(who is 7 next week!)had this after birth. Had a normal birth with no problems. He was 9lb 8oz. I was the one who spotted it. It also effected hes shoulder and arm. I noticed that each time I changed or picked him up he would cry and I knew it was from a pain. Then I noticed that he didnt move hes arm on the one side. I mentioned it to the nurses and they got the ped. to come have a look. He went for x-rays and nothing showed. He was examined loads of times and reflexes checked, they keept doing the one where they hold them and kinda let them go so their arms fly up. Only one of my Ds arms moved for this. Then they told me he had Erbs Palsy, that maybe a nerve got squashed while he went through the birth canal or he could have been lying a certain way in the womb. I had a phisio therpist visit me, she was really nice, showed me all the excerises to do with him. Told me to try do them at each nappy change. I hated doing them as it hurt him and he cried. He had to go back every 2 weeks as far as I can remember for check ups untill he was around 8 weeks old. Hes arm gradually regained movement and hes had no long term effects. I also used to do my own form of baby massage on him and he really enjoyed it and I think it may have helped the recovery. Im sure your Ds will be fine. Rozzy
Bodmas
Posted - 31/05/2005 : 15:56:32
Hi Thanks for all your comments and support. He is only 3 weeks old yesterday so its very early days. I'm doing the physio at every nappy change and he doesnt like it at all but it has to be done. I'm back in the **** for the 6 wk check up on 21st June and have to see the physio again then so hopefully she'll have positive news. The support group is Irish, there are about 200 families involved who have children with Erbs, they've sent me litriture which has been helpful.
mozza
Posted - 01/06/2005 : 14:20:43
Hi Bodmas- Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf is the Irish centre for Erb's palsy- they have a dedicated clinic for upper limb injuries in children- surgeon, physio, Occupational therapist. Surgeon there will operate if he feels its indicated- 80% do spontaneusly recover in first few months and the remaining 20% will have some recovery in that time too. Your physio should be a good resource for you- but if still loss of function in a few weeks get yourself referred (earlier the better) And long term- my brother (now 25) had a severe Erbs (also called brachial Plexus injury) plays hurling none the less with local team and coaches local school. HTH mozza
linney
Posted - 30/06/2005 : 15:36:58
Hi Bodmas, Congrats on the birth of your little boy. I know exactly what your going through.My little girl was born before christmas 9lb and suffered Erbs Palsy in her right arm. It was the best and worst time in my life=-- here I had a beautiful new baby girl but then had this worry hanging over us. There was no movement in her whole arm. Like you we had the exercises to do and sometimes I used to say to myself "are these doing any good at all" Bit by bit movement slowly came back , first in the fingers . I cried the day she moved her elbow. We were refered to the Central remedial clinic in Clontarf but by our appointment date alot of movement had come back. She is 7 months now and is almost fully recovered and people have to ask which arm it was.We still do our exercises and have the check ups in the physio. All I can say is, it is a waiting game but be strong and keep up with the exercises. Please let me know how you are getting on . Good Luck.
Erbs Palsy
Posted - 26/05/2005 : 11:23:19
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