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Specialised care for infants born with brachial plexus injuries, also known as obstetric brachial plexus palsy, focuses on treating nerve damage that occurs during childbirth. These injuries affect the brachial plexus, the network of nerves controlling movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Surgery and specialised therapies can help restore mobility, allowing the child to regain proper arm and hand function as they grow. Early intervention is critical for improving outcomes and reducing long-term disability.
Conditions it Helps With:
Obstetrical brachial plexus services are aimed at treating infants and young children with nerve injuries that impact upper limb function, including:
Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy (Erb’s Palsy): This condition occurs when the brachial plexus is stretched or torn during difficult childbirth, leading to weakness or paralysis in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Nerve Damage Affecting Arm Movement: The injury can range from mild stretching of the nerves (neurapraxia) to more severe conditions such as nerve rupture or avulsion, where the nerve is torn from the spinal cord.
Why is it Performed?
Obstetrical brachial plexus treatments are performed to:
Promote Nerve Regeneration and Repair: Surgical interventions, such as nerve grafts or transfers, aim to reconnect or repair damaged nerves, allowing proper signals to be sent from the spinal cord to the affected muscles.
Improve Mobility and Strength in the Affected Arm: Surgery and physical therapy are designed to restore function and enable better movement, ensuring the child can use their arm and hand for everyday activities as they grow.
Prevent Long-term Disability: Early treatment can significantly reduce the risk of permanent paralysis or deformity, enabling a more normal development of the upper limb.
Before Surgery or Treatment
Comprehensive Evaluation: The child will undergo detailed assessments, including physical examinations and diagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies, MRI, or ultrasound, to determine the extent of the nerve damage.
Preoperative Planning: The medical team, including paediatric surgeons and neurologists, will plan the appropriate treatment, which may involve surgery, physical therapy, or a combination of both.
Parental Guidance: Parents will receive detailed instructions on how to care for their child before surgery, including managing any pre-existing medical conditions and preparing for hospital stays.
After Surgery or Treatment
Postoperative Care and Monitoring: Following surgery, the affected arm may be immobilised to protect the repaired nerves. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor nerve regeneration and recovery.
Physical and Occupational Therapy: Intensive therapy is often required to help the child regain strength and range of motion. Special exercises are designed to stimulate the nerves and muscles, promoting proper development.
Ongoing Assessments: The child’s progress is closely monitored over time to adjust treatments and ensure the best possible outcomes. In some cases, additional surgeries or therapies may be needed as the child grows.
Benefits and Risk Factors
Benefits
Early Intervention Significantly Improves Function: Prompt treatment, especially in the first few months of life, can greatly enhance the chances of regaining full or partial arm movement.
Improved Quality of Life: Restoring nerve function in the early stages of a child’s development helps them achieve better mobility and independence as they grow, allowing for more normal use of their arm and hand.
Reduced Risk of Permanent Disability: Surgery and therapy can prevent or minimise long-term deformities and complications, enabling the child to lead a more active life.
Risk Factors
Multiple Surgeries May Be Required: In some cases, especially when the nerve injury is severe, more than one surgery may be necessary throughout the child’s development.
Incomplete Recovery: While many children experience significant improvement, some may not regain full function in the affected arm, depending on the extent of the nerve damage.
Risk of Complications: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection, bleeding, or nerve damage. Additionally, the healing process may take time, and the full extent of recovery may not be immediately apparent.
Need for Long-term Therapy: Even after successful surgery, long-term rehabilitation and therapy may be required to ensure the best functional outcome.
Consult our hand and limb surgeons if you need Obstetric Brachial Palsy Treatment in India.
