Erb’s Palsy Clinic Held at QEH

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in association with the World Pediatric Project and the A.C. Graham Children’s Development Centre, held its first brachial plexus birth palsy, better known as erb’s palsy clinic at the QEH on June 8, 2019.

Erb’s Palsy, which is defined as paralysis of the arm, results from injury to the network of nerves near the neck that provide movement and feeling to the shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers. One or two of every 1,000 babies born are diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy which occurs when an infant’s neck is stretched to the side during a difficult delivery.

Medical personnel from the Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedics and Paediatrics Departments of the QEH; Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Lindley Wall and Occupational Therapist Courtney Bergheger from WPP; and physical therapists from the A.C. Graham Children’s Development Centre, collaborated during the clinic to develop strategies for managing newborns diagnosed with erb’s palsy, review present cases, and to provide surgical assistance to 30 patients diagnosed with this condition. Additionally, the patients who ranged in age from infants to adolescents were examined and follow-up appointments scheduled as required.

Funding for the WPP Erb’s Palsy Clinic was provided through a generous donation from the Sandy Lane Charitable. The Trust has also been instrumental in the organisation and implementation of the WPP’s Scoliosis and Blount’s Clinics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.