Prophylaxis
Most paralysis of the brachial plexus is the result of an accident. Careful behavior in road traffic and in dangerous situations is therefore a prerequisite for avoiding such injuries. During operations, it is essential that the patient is positioned correctly to prevent pressure damage to the plexus. Optimal training of obstetricians reduces the risk of plexus lesions in newborns, but plexus paralysis can theoretically occur even despite great caution on the part of personnel.
Hereditary Paralysis
There are two forms of brachial plexus paralysis – the so-called hereditary paralysis and the lump paralysis. Whereas in the case of Klumpke’s paralysis the lower part of the brachial plexus is affected, in the case of Erb’s paralysis the upper part of the nerve plexus is damaged. In Erb’s paralysis, therefore, the spinal cord segments C5 and C6 are affected.
As a result, the shoulder and upper arm muscles fail to function properly. However, the elbow can still be stretched. In the case of Klumpke’s paralysis, the elbow can no longer be stretched. The spinal cord segments C7 to Th1 are damaged, which leads to a loss of the forearm and hand muscles.
