Health Law

Erb's Palsy vs. Cerebral Palsy

Palsy is a term that generally refers to paralysis of some sort. There are several different types of palsy, two of which are sometimes caused by medical malpractice. These two types of palsy are cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy.

What is cerebral palsy? Thousands of babies are born each year with cerebral palsy, which is actually not a single condition but rather a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. The precise diagnosis depends on the areas of the body that are affected and how they are affected, but the different types of cerebral palsy include:

• Spastic
• Athetoid
• Ataxic
• Mixed

Cerebral palsy is sometimes accompanied by seizures, mental retardation, vision problems and other health issues. Though it is not a progressive condition (meaning it does not worsen over time), cerebral palsy does not have a cure. Consequently, doctors primarily aim to manage the symptoms with physical therapy, orthopedic devices, occupational therapy and other innovative treatments.

What is Erb's palsy? Erb's palsy is a type of injury to the brachial plexus, which is a group of nerves that run from the neck down the arm and into the hand. Brachial plexus injuries often occur during difficult deliveries – for instance, when an infant's shoulders have to be forced out of the birth canal. In such cases, a nerve in the brachial plexus can be stretched or torn and this may result in paralysis of the upper arm, both the upper and lower arm, or the hand.

Brachial plexus injuries like Erb's palsy sometimes heal on their own. However, in severe cases, surgery is required for a full recovery. In other cases, the damage may be permanent.

It's best to seek the expert advice of a medical malpractice attorney if you think negligence caused your child to develop Erb's or cerebral palsy after birth. A medical lawyer can determine whether you're eligible for compensation.





 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on May 22, 2009 (boomark / email).