16 Jun 🥺Did your baby have a traumatic birth resulting in damage to their upper arm nerves? 🥴Been told that your newborn baby has Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy, also known as Erb-Duchenne palsy, is a type of brachial plexus injury that affects the nerves in the shoulder and upper arm. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originates in the spinal cord in the neck and provides movement and sensation to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Erb’s palsy occurs when the nerves in the brachial plexus are stretched or torn during childbirth, typically during a difficult delivery. This can result in weakness or paralysis of the affected arm, as well as loss of sensation in some cases. The severity of the condition can vary, with some cases resolving on their own and others requiring medical intervention such as surgery or physiotherapy. The incidence of Erb’s palsy in Australia is estimated to be around 1-2 cases per 1,000 live births.

Overall, Erb’s palsy is a relatively rare condition, but it can have significant implications for the affected child and their family. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to ensuring the best possible outcome for the child.

Here are 3 Key Strategies you can implement to help your baby’s recovery from Erb’s Palsy
👶🏻1. Protect baby’s affected arm by using a singlet as a sling so that everyone remembers not to pick up baby from under their armpit but rather cradle their shoulder with their arm across their body.
👶🏻2. Passively exercise your baby’s affected arm by gently moving their arm up and down as well as in and out by their side. Always support baby’s shoulder by holding their elbow and wrist. Gently bend and straighten their elbow and wrist as well rotate their forearm to turn their palm up and palm down. Finally gently open and stretch their fingers.
👶🏻3. Encourage active movements in their affected arm by stroking their hand and forearm with a toy, while baby is lying on their unaffected side and while baby is in sitting.

If your newborn baby has Erb’s Palsy from a traumatic birth injury, ring My Favourite Physio on 📱(02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to speak to one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists.