Erb’s Palsy

A condition resulting from injury during birth which affects the C5, C6, and sometimes C7 nerve roots. This type is the most common type and fortunately has the best prognosis. The children affected have full use of the hand and fingers, but the function of the shoulder, elbow and forearm are affected.

Erb’s Palsy: This is called an upper plexus injury which affects the C5, C6, and sometimes C7 nerve roots. These children have full use of the hand and fingers, but the function of the shoulder, elbow and forearm are affected. This type is the most common and fortunately has the best prognosis.

Total Plexus Palsy: This injury affects all of the brachial plexus nerves. These children have their entire arm affected, typically with difficulty with sensation. The entire upper extremity is affected, and this has the poorest prognosis of these injuries.

Klumpke’s Palsy: This injury is very uncommon and only affects the nerves of the hand and fingers. These children may have some weakness in their affected arm, but mostly have problems with their hands.

Even though we classify these injuries into these three broad categories, each patient’s injury is unique and typically much too complex to fit neatly into this classification system. That is why we have a team of medical professionals to help guide you and your child and create a plan to help gain the best function possible in the arm.

Brachial Plexus is not only caused by a child’s birth injury but is also a disease called Parsonage-Turner syndrome. Young men (including teenagers) are at higher risk of getting this disease than any other age or gender.

In rare cases, a disorder called Brachial Neuritis causes Brachial Plexus Injuries. Brachial Neuritis can be preceded by Varicella-Zoster Infection (cause of Chickenpox and Herpes.)

It is difficult to tell by today’s diagnostic tests what the exact nature and extent of the injury is and its potential to heal and recover. That is why initial management is a wait-and-see. But wait how long? And, see what? Unfortunately, predicting the severity of the injury and the extent and rate of recovery vary from patient to patient, we believe that each patient should have a unique treatment plan. There are certain nuances to the natural history of this condition that if ignored, will have a significant impact on the function of the arm and hand.

• Patient’s name
• Patient’s date of birth
• Patient’s address
• Brief description of the reason for the appointment
• Home and alternate phone numbers
• Patient’s health insurance information

Yes, you will be asked to review and complete various forms when you arrive at the practice such as:

• Faculty Group Practice Patient Demographic Form
• NYU Langone Medical Center Electronic Health Information System Consent Form
• Faculty Group Practice Financial Policies
• Patient Responsibility Form
• Notice of Privacy Practices Acknowledgment

Many of these forms can be reviewed and completed prior to your appointment by visiting our patient forms.

Yes, all of our practices use the patient portal NYU Langone Health MyChart. You can access it using a desktop or laptop computer, or download the NYU Langone Health MyChart app on your Apple® or Android™ device.

The benefits of NYU Langone Health MyChart include:

• Viewing your test and lab results
• Accessing your medical records, medications, immunizations, and more
• Scheduling appointments
• Requesting prescription refills
• Sending secure messages to your doctor’s office
• Accessing your billing statements and making payments

To receive a copy of your test results and medical records, please call your doctor’s office. You will need to sign a consent form to release this information if your records are being sent to another office or hospital. You can also log in to your NYU Langone Health MyChart account to view recent test results.