National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Brachial Plexus Palsy

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Brachial Plexus Palsy is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Erb-Duchenne Palsy
• Erb's Paralysis
• Erb-Duchenne Paralysis
• Duchenne-Erb Paralysis
• Duchenne's Paralysis
• Duchenne-Erb Syndrome
• Upper Brachial Plexus Paralysis, Erb-Duchenne Type
• Upper Brachial Plexus Palsy, Erb-Duchenne Type

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Brachial plexus palsy, also known as Erb’s palsy, is a paralysis or weakness of the arm caused by an injury to one or more nerves that control and supply the muscles of the shoulder and upper extremities (upper brachial plexus). It is more commonly seen in newborns (neonates) and is often the result of a difficult delivery. When it occurs in adults, the cause typically is an injury that has caused stretching, tearing or other trauma to the brachial plexus network. The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

There are four types of brachial plexus injury: avulsion, the most severe type, in which the nerve is ripped from the spine; rupture, in which the nerve is torn but not at the point at which it is attached to the spine; neuroma, in which the nerve is torn and has tried to heal but scar tissue has grown around the site; and neuropraxia (stretch), the most common form of injury, in which the nerve has been damaged but not torn.

Resources

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov

Erb's Palsy Group
60 Anchorway Road
Warwickshire
Coventry, Intl CV3 6JJ
United Kingdom
Tel: 024 7641 3293
Fax: 024 7641 9857
Email: info@erbspalsygroup.com
Internet: http://www.erbspalsygroup.co.uk

Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation
210 Spring Haven Circle
Royersford, PA 19468
Email: brachial@comcast.net
Internet: http://www.membrane.com/bpp/

United Brachial Plexus Network (UBPN)
1610 Kent Street
Kent, OH 44240
Fax: (866)877-7004
Tel: (866)877-7004
Email: info@ubpn.org
Internet: http://www.ubpn.org

San Diego Brachial Plexus Network (SDBPN)
PO Box 928063
San Diego, CA 92192
Tel: (619)525-3179
Fax: (760)930-9795
Email: c-cannon@alumni.ucsd.edu
Internet: http://www.UBPN.ORG

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  12/17/2004
Copyright  1989, 1996, 1997, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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