Brachial plexus program overview
What is brachial plexus palsy?
The brachial plexus is a collection or network of nerves controlling movement and sensation in the arm and hand. Brachial plexus palsy occurs when the arm, shoulder, or hand is weakened or paralyzed because of injury to the brachial plexus. In general, the injury can be caused by stretching or compression of these nerves. Occasionally, brachial plexus palsy occurs in an older child who is involved in a trauma, such as a car or bike accident.
The condition is sometimes known by other names: brachial plexus birth palsy, pediatric brachial plexus palsy, Erb palsy or Klumpke palsy.
The multi-specialty brachial plexus program at Children's Memorial Hospital specializes in treating all types of brachial plexus palsy in babies and children. Patients come to us from the greater Chicago area, the Midwest and throughout the country.
How common is brachial plexus palsy?
The estimated frequency of birth brachial plexus injury ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 per 1,000 births, and significant arm weakness persists in 0.4 - 5.0/10,000 births. A wide range in the prevalence and persistence of arm weakness due to brachial plexus injury has been reported. During initial evaluations at the brachial plexus program, each patient is carefully screened to exclude other causes of decreased function such as stroke, tumor or orthopaedic fracture.