- Erb's palsy
- Erb's palsy 'erbz-, 'erps- n paralysis affecting the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder that is caused by an injury during birth to the upper part of the brachial plexusErb Wilhelm Heinrich (1840-1921)German neurologist. Erb earned a reputation as an outstanding clinical neurologist and was responsible for major contributions to the understanding of neuromuscular disorders. He enjoyed a long association with the University of Heidelberg, rising to the status of professor and director of its medical clinic. His contributions included a hypothesis for the etiology of tabes dorsalis, descriptions of myotonia congenita and a juvenile form of progressive muscular atrophy, and pioneering research in electrodiagnostic studies and electrotherapy. His monographs included Diseases of the Peripheral and Cerebrospinal Nerves and Handbook of Diseases of the Spinal Cord and Medulla. He published his description of what is now known as Erb's palsy in 1874.
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weakness or paralysis of the shoulder and arm caused by injury to the upper roots of a baby's brachial plexus during birth. This may happen if, during a difficult delivery, excess traction applied to the head damages the fifth cervical root of the spinal cord. The muscles of the shoulder and the flexors of the elbow are paralysed and the arm hangs at the side internally rotated at the shoulder. Recovery may be spontaneous, but in some cases nerve grafts or muscle transfers are required.W. H. Erb (1840-1921), German neurologist
Medical dictionary. 2011.