What To Do If Your Child Has Been Diagnosed With Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy occurs when a baby is pulled too quickly or firmly by the shoulders, which can lead to brain injuries or spinal cord damage. Damage to the brachial plexus will halt the movement in the arms and hands and result in weak hand movement or complete paralyzation. However, most of the time, it can be prevented or cured. 

The condition can occur shortly after birth in some infants, and it is quite possible to have stemmed from malpractice or negligence during the birth process. In the case of its diagnosis, many parents feel lost. They don’t know their child’s chances of long-term recovery or what they can do to facilitate the healing process. 

In the event that your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy, you should take the following steps.

1. Get a Medical Negligence Consultation  

Medical professionals are experts who are well-trained in delivering a baby without causing the child any harm. When an injury in the head or neck occurs, it is often due to medical negligence. 

If you suspect there has been a medical error or another’s negligence injures your child, the first thing you should do is to consult a medical malpractice attorney as there is limited time to seek compensation for Erb’s Palsy.

2. Hire an Erb’s Palsy Attorney  

Hiring an attorney for your case will help with the lawsuit and get you the compensation you deserve. In most cases, the lawyer can recover compensation for medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages from time off from work, and any other related expenses. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering during the process. 

Representing your legal matters, your Erb’s Palsy attorney works to ensure the protection of your rights. They will thoroughly investigate all aspects of the situation to build the strongest case possible. If necessary, they will seek out expert witnesses to testify on your behalf during the trial. An attorney will also negotiate with the defense to reach as best a settlement as possible. Depending on how strong the case is, it may even go before a jury.

3. Treatment and Education  

The next step is to seek treatment and education.

To manage the condition, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, which will help in strengthening affected muscles and increasing their range of motion. 

In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct muscle imbalances or straighten out limbs that don’t function properly. Both options come with medication and injections that help reduce pain and soothe muscle nerves.

If you are considering EPP as a treatment option, it is essential that you get as much information about it as possible so you can fully understand what you are facing and how to handle it properly.

4. Avoid Certain Foods

Foods that are difficult to chew or swallow, such as nuts, raw carrots, and popcorn, may injure your child’s throat and neck muscles. Chewing difficulties can also cause airway obstructions in the trachea and esophagus.

Keep away from foods that have a strong odor, such as garlic or onions, as their strong scent can cause throat irritation. You may also want to steer clear of sugary or sticky foods as they increase the risk for dental cavities.

5. Do Exercises at Home    

Try these exercises at home with your child to help quicker their recovery process:

Tennis Ball Stretch

• Have your child sit on the floor, leaning against the wall. 
• Place a small rolled-up towel under their kneecap and hold it there. 
• Following this, help them put their foot on top of a small tennis ball. While in this position, have them bend their knees and push their feet into the ball. 
• To get different angles of motion, you can use more than one tennis ball to stimulate foot blood flow.

Standing Hamstring Stretch

• Have your child stand with both legs straight out in front of them; toes pointed forward. 
• Ask them to bend one leg at the knee and bring it up behind them so that they can balance on one leg while holding their ankle or lower leg with the opposite hand. 
• Let them slowly bring their chest towards their bent knee until they feel a stretch down the back of their leg (hamstring). 
• Hold for 20-30 seconds and then repeat.

Conclusion

Parents need to remain strong for the sake of their children. The last thing you need is to lose your doctor’s support. When dealing with Erb’s Palsy, do everything you can to find the cause and a cure.  Getting to the root of the problem and dealing with it as soon as possible enables you to assist their child to reach their fullest potential.

While no one knows what the future will hold for their child, there is always hope that someday those with Erb’s Palsy won’t be left disabled by it.

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