The medical term for Erb’s Palsy is obstetric brachial plexus disorder. It refers to the paralysis of the arm caused by the damaging or severing of the upper trunk C5–C6 nerves.
Nerve injuries are categorised as follows:
- Neuropraxia – the nerve is stretched or compressed causing pain and disruption. The nerve does stay intact and full recovery occurs in most instances.
- Axonotmesis – the nerve remains partially intact. The nerve does try to self-repair; however, there is usually ongoing problems for the patient.
- Neurotmesis – the nerve is completely severed and surgery is required to repair it.
- Ruptures – the nerve is torn and cannot self-repair. Surgery involves splicing a nerve from another part of the body and grafting it onto the damaged area.
- Avulsions – the nerve is completely torn from the spinal cord and cannot be reattached. A nerve graft may restore some arm function.
