Where can you turn when your child is faced with a lifetime of hardship after an Erb’s palsy diagnosis? For children with limpness, paralysis, poor muscle control, and loss of sensation in the arms, hands, and shoulders, the prognosis can seem bleak. Once nerve tissue is ruptured or torn, there is a limit as to what repair measures will prove successful. But there is always hope, especially with new and innovative medical breakthroughs.
Assessing the Damage
The first step in determining a treatment program is to assess the severity of the injury. Your physician will perform a number of tests and record details about dysfunction in the affected arm, shoulder, and hand. X-rays and MRI images help pinpoint the extent of nerve damage. Your doctor will test for numbness, paralysis, and other effects. Once your child’s Erb’s palsy is classified into a type category, a comprehensive treatment plan will be created with the goal of improving muscle and joint function and restoring mobility.
Treatment Options for Erb’s Palsy
There are several options for Erb’s palsy children that have proven successful in many cases. The treatment modalities recommended for your child will depend on age, degree of nerve damage, and the results of diagnostic testing. Any one of the following options may be effective in increasing functionality and range of motion in the arm, hand, or shoulder.
- Surgery to repair nerve damage
- Occupational therapy
- Hydrotherapy (water)
- Muscle strengthening and flexibility exercises
- Medication
- Nerve graft surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Physical therapy
Financial Compensation for Treatment Expenses
Surgery, therapies, and other medical treatments can be extremely costly. As with any nerve damage repair attempt, there is no guarantee that you will see an improvement. If your child does not respond to treatment, you may also need to consider the long-term costs associated with Erb’s palsy, such as special braces and medical equipment.
If you would like more information on Erb’s palsy treatment options and your legal rights in a medical malpractice claim, please contact the Goldwater Law Firm, PC.
