erb's palsy & electrical stimulation

[dapoi]

Hi! I think I've replied quite late. I have been treating infants with erb's palsy for 5 years at most. In my experience, i realized that the best way to treat erb's palsy initially is PROPER POSITIONING and gentle ROMEx. Teach parents to position the infant in adduction,internal rotation and supination so as to protect the limb.You can tell them to pin the sleeve to the baby's shirt or diaper.As the baby grows use active exercises appropriate for his age,i.e.,reaching,grasping and releasing.When doing ROMEx, be sure to allow scapular movement,and avoid overstretching flaccid muscles.Until now, neuromuscular stimulation is controversial,but if you want to try,use the probe to stimulate specific muscles.Good luck!

[linbin]

you mean you will allow the hand to be in more or less disability position except adding supination??? it will only facilitate the stronger normal muscles overacting and worsening the "policeman's tip hand "position of arm according to me. i would like to see others openion regarding this
cheers

[estherderu]

dear dapoi en linbin

Rest, after the initial injury, is only called for in the first 7-10 days. In that time, the arm can be positioned gently across the abdomen ( Volpe Neurology of the Newborn 2001) giving the haemorrhage and edema time to decrease.

kind regards

Esther

[dapoi]

Hi lin,
As stated in my post, proper positioning is optimum in the initial stages or few days post injury only.