One region of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus is called Erb’s point.six nerve meet here.injury to the upper trunk causes Erb’s paralysis
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Causes of injury
1.Birth injury. 2.During anaesthesia. 3.Falll on the shoulder.
Muscles paralysed= mainly biceps brachii,brachialis,brachioradialis,supraspinatus,infraspinatus,supinator,and serratus anterior.
Nerve root involve= C5 and C6 roots of the brachial plexus.
Deformity and position of the limb. Arm: hangs by the side=it is adducted and medially rotated.
Forearam= pronated and extended. The deformity is known as’ Police man’s tip hands,or Writer’s tip hand or Porter’s tip hand.
Disabilities: which affects the nerves and muscles in the neck shoulder and arm.
The following movements are lost.
1.Biceps and supinator jerks are lost.
2.sensation are lost over a small area over the lower part of the deltoid.
3.flexion and supination of the forearm.
4.abduction and lateral rotation of the arm at shoulder joint.
Physiotherapy treatment
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT
The most common treatments are.
1.Nerve transfers( usually from the opposite arm and limb) 2.Sub scapularis release and Latissimus dorsi dendon transfers.
Dr Lucky Raman 