|Columbia Orthopaedic Group 1 South Keene St. Columbia, MO 65201
USA Phone: (573) 443-2402 Erb's palsy is a form of brachial
plexus palsy. It is named for one of the doctors who first
described this condition, Wilhelm Erb. The brachial plexus
(BRAY-key-el PLEK-sis) is a network of nerves near the neck that
give rise to all the nerves of the arm. These nerves provide
movement and feeling to the arm, hand, and fingers. Palsy means
weakness, and brachial plexus birth palsy causes arm weakness
and loss of motion. One or two of every 1,000 babies have this
condition. It is often caused when an infant's neck is stretched
to the side during a difficult delivery. Most infants with
brachial plexus birth palsy will recover both movement and
feeling in the affected arm. Parents must be watchful and active
participants in the treatment process to make sure their child
recovers maximum function in the affected arm. The brachial
plexus is formed as the nerves to the arm, hand, and fingers
pass from the spinal cord, between