Questions?What Are Common Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy symptoms typically involve weakness or paralysis in the shoulder, arm, or hand, resulting from nerve damage to the brachial plexus during childbirth.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate at the spine and extend to the neck, shoulders, and arms.
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy often appear immediately after delivery and can vary in severity.
Common Erb’s palsy symptoms include:
- Arm bent at the elbow in a limp position
- Limited or absent grip in one hand
- Muscle weakness in one arm
- Partial or complete paralysis of the arm
- Tingling of the arm and hand
While most children with Erb’s palsy make a full recovery with consistent physical therapy and treatment, the costs can add up quickly, especially when parents need to miss work to care for their child.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with top Erb’s palsy lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Our legal network has recovered over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth trauma, including brachial plexus injuries.
If your child’s condition could have been avoided, we may be able to help.
Get a free case review right now to see if you may qualify.
Recognizing Erb’s Palsy Signs and Symptoms
Erb’s palsy symptoms in babies are usually noticeable shortly after birth. During a newborn assessment, medical professionals check for differences between each of the baby’s arms.
“At delivery, we instantly assess movement and tone of each limb. If one side has more mobility or tone than the other side, the nurse will note the difference and reassess to see if the weakness remains or if the arm stays limp.”
— Katie Lavender, newborn nurse in Labor and Delivery
If one arm appears weaker or stays limp compared to the other, it may indicate a brachial plexus injury like Erb’s palsy.
Early Signs of Erb’s Palsy in Babies
The first signs of Erb’s palsy usually appear immediately after birth.
- Absent reflexes in the affected arm
- Arm held close to the body with the elbow bent (“waiter’s tip” position)
- Limited movement in the shoulder or arm
- Limp or floppy arm on one side
- Weak grip on the affected hand
If your child had Erb’s palsy symptoms at birth, you may have questions about what may have gone wrong. It’s common for new parents to struggle to understand the cause of Erb’s palsy in their baby.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has a team of registered nurses on staff who are here to help.
Talk to one of our nurses for free to discuss possible causes and learn what you can do next.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
Erb’s Palsy vs. Klumpke Paralysis
Erb’s palsy and Klumpke paralysis are both brachial plexus injuries, but they affect different areas of the body.
- Erb’s palsy impacts the upper brachial plexus nerves, causing weakness or paralysis mainly in the shoulder and upper arm.
- Klumpke’s palsy involves the lower brachial plexus nerves, leading to weakness or paralysis in the forearm, wrist, hand, and sometimes fingers.
Recognizing the differences helps ensure proper diagnosis and early treatment, improving a child’s chances of recovery.
Mild vs. Severe Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of nerve damage.
Mild cases might involve nerves being stretched, while severe cases could result in nerve tears.
Symptoms of Mild Erb’s Palsy
Mild symptoms often result from partial nerve damage (stretching nerves or neuropraxia).
- Difficulty gripping objects
- Limited ability to move the arm away from the body
- Slight numbness or tingling in the affected arm
- Weakness in the shoulder or upper arm
Children with mild Erb’s palsy symptoms often benefit from daily physical therapy and range-of-motion exercises, which can lead to a full recovery over time.
Symptoms of Severe Erb’s Palsy
Severe cases involve more extensive nerve damage, like rupture (nerve tear) or avulsion (nerve detachment from the spine).
- Abnormal hand positioning, like the “waiter’s tip”
- Arm hanging limp with limited or no movement
- Complete paralysis of the arm
- Loss of feeling in the shoulder, arm, or hand
Severe injuries may also be linked to other complications, like a fractured clavicle during a difficult delivery.
Many families of children with severe Erb’s palsy symptoms file Erb’s palsy lawsuits to cover the costs of ongoing treatment.
This could include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or even a nerve graft or nerve transfer to repair a damaged nerve.
If your child’s condition was preventable, seeking financial support through an Erb’s palsy lawsuit may help.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if we can help.
How Erb’s Palsy Symptoms Affect Movement
Erb’s palsy symptoms can significantly impact a child’s ability to move their arm and perform daily activities.
- Muscle weakness makes lifting the arm, gripping, and reaching difficult.
- Loss of sensation reduces awareness of arm position, increasing injury risk.
- Limited range of motion restricts arm flexibility and can cause joint stiffness.
Early intervention, like physical therapy, can help restore mobility and improve function in the affected arm.
Long-Term Effects of Erb’s Palsy Symptoms
The long-term Erb’s palsy prognosis varies depending on the severity of the initial nerve injury. Some children can achieve near-complete recovery by age 2, but this can be confirmed when your child gets an Erb’s palsy diagnosis.
In milder cases, muscle weakness and limited arm movement may improve over time, especially with physical therapy.
For severe cases, Erb’s palsy symptoms may persist. These can include ongoing weakness, reduced arm movement, or partial paralysis.
The affected arm may also grow more slowly, resulting in a smaller size compared to the other arm. Without regular joint exercises, permanent stiffness (contractures) can develop.
“If someone with Erb’s palsy doesn’t recover function early and doesn’t have corrective surgery, they will probably find that their arm and shoulder don’t move normally later on.”
— Cleveland Clinic
To prevent brachial plexus injury at birth long-term effects, parents should expect ongoing therapy and, in some instances, surgery to improve movement, which can be costly.
If your child’s brachial plexus injury could have been avoided, we may be able to help you seek compensation to cover these expenses.
Get a free case review right now to see if you may qualify.
How to Monitor Erb’s Palsy Signs and Symptoms
Monitoring Erb’s palsy symptoms is essential for ensuring proper care.
- Movement and strength: Regularly assess your child’s ability to move the affected arm, lift objects, or grip. Document any changes or progress.
- Range of motion: Monitor how well your child can extend or bend the arm, shoulder, and wrist. Practice recommended exercises to maintain flexibility.
- Muscle development: Watch for muscle differences between the arms, such as shrinkage or weaker appearance in the affected arm.
- Sensation changes: Note any numbness, tingling, or unusual reactions to touch on the injured arm. Report significant changes to your health care provider.
- Daily function: Observe how symptoms affect daily tasks like dressing, eating, or playing, and discuss any challenges with your child’s therapist.
Keeping track of these aspects helps parents ensure their child receives timely and effective treatment. Regular check-ups are important for ongoing evaluation and care adjustments.
Treatments for Erb’s Palsy Symptoms
Treating Erb’s palsy symptoms depends on the severity of the nerve injury and the child’s age. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes, with options ranging from therapy to surgery for improving mobility and strength.
Therapy for Erb’s Palsy
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in treating Erb’s palsy symptoms and can help children regain movement and strength in the affected arm.
The type of Erb’s palsy therapy varies based on the child’s age. For infants, parents or caregivers perform daily range-of-motion exercises to maintain flexibility in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Gentle stretching helps prevent joint stiffness and contractures. These exercises typically start within the first few weeks of life and are important for avoiding muscle rigidity.
As children grow, they may begin to perform more active physical therapy movements. Sessions focus on improving strength, flexibility, and coordination.
Light weights or resistance bands may be introduced for much older children to build muscle strength. Occupational therapy can also be beneficial for improving fine motor skills.
Surgery for Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy surgery may be recommended if there is no significant improvement by 6 to 12 months of age, especially in severe cases where the nerve is torn or completely detached from the spinal cord.
“If after six months the condition is unchanged, surgery might be discussed to improve changes of full recovery for the infant.”
— American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Surgical options include nerve repair or grafting, tendon transfer, and release of contractures (correcting permanent tightening).
Early treatment and close monitoring are essential to maximize recovery and quality of life for children with Erb’s palsy.
Get Legal Help for Erb’s Palsy
The Birth Injury Justice Center understands that your child’s well-being is your top priority. Erb’s palsy settlements can provide the resources your family needs to help your child recover.
We’ve partnered with experienced Erb’s palsy lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. If you are eligible, our legal partners will support you through every step and work to secure the compensation your family deserves.
Our network has recovered more than $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries, and they may be able to help your family, too.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or fill out our case review form to see if we can help you provide a brighter future for your child.
Erb’s Palsy Symptoms FAQs
What are the symptoms of Erb's palsy in infants?
Erb’s palsy symptoms in infants include a limp arm, limited movement, or the “waiter’s tip” position where the arm is rotated inward and the hand is turned backward.
Erb’s palsy symptoms may mean that medical negligence occurred during childbirth.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 to talk with one of our on-staff labor and delivery nurses about whether your child’s condition could have been prevented.
What is a mild case of Erb's palsy?
A mild case of Erb’s palsy involves limited muscle weakness or reduced range of motion in the affected arm.
The infant may still have some movement and sensation, with symptoms often improving on their own or with physical therapy.
What is the physical presentation of Erb's palsy?
The physical presentation of Erb’s palsy often includes a limp arm that is bent at the elbow and held close to the body.
The shoulder may appear internally rotated, and the hand may be positioned with the palm facing backward.
What are the signs and symptoms of Erb's palsy?
The signs and symptoms of Erb’s palsy depend on how severe the injury is.
Some common Erb’s palsy signs and symptoms include:
- Arm in the “waiter’s tip” position
- Limited grip strength
- Muscle weakness
- Partial or complete paralysis of the arm
These symptoms typically arise from nerve damage sustained during birth, particularly in cases involving shoulder dystocia (when a baby’s shoulders are lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone) or improper use of forceps.
What are the symptoms of nerve damage in the shoulder related to Erb's palsy?
Symptoms of nerve damage in the shoulder due to Erb’s palsy include arm weakness, loss of movement, numbness, tingling, and difficulties with gripping or lifting objects.
In many cases, nerve damage in the shoulder is caused by medical malpractice.
Pursuing compensation through an Erb’s palsy lawsuit may help families cover treatment options like physical therapy or surgery.
