United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Can anyone tell me if their BPI child has weak hand strength but was diagnosed with Erb's palsy. I thought Erb's palsy mainly dealt with the upper nerve roots (i.e. C5 and C6). What is C7 considered? I have read a lot of medical literature on the different nerves and their function, but they all seem to make me more confused! My daughter had a rupture of C5, a partial avulsion of C6, and an avulsion of C7. I'm thinking that the avulsion of C7 might be the reason for the weak hand. After the mod quad where they also removed scar tissue from the nerve to the bicep and the axilliary nerve, my daughter's hand strength improved but it is still real weak. She doesn't move her thumb much at all, her index finger moves alot, and she can now open and close the other fingers. I know the hand would be last to be impacted by the primary surgery (she is 9 months post primary). Has anyone's child had a surgery to increase the strength to the hand? What type of surgery was it (i.e. nerve or muscle/tendon)? Any information would be greatly appreciated. (I know I could ask TCH, but since this surgery would probably be off in the future I don't want to bug them with it now!)

Hi Julie...

Look here for a picture of what each is connected to:

http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001Robpi.html

Maia had ruptures of C5 6 & 7. She has a weak wrist, finger issues and has hand tremors. She can grasp but the fingers have a hard time holding on to things because they are weak. At first her index and pinky fingers stuck up in the air and they were the only ones that moved. Then it shifted and she could only point with her ring finger and it seems like it's more balanced out but they are still very weak and her hand still shakes.

When we started using an adaptive spoon, the first had a grip that was too small and it was hard for her to hold because she couldn't grasp that much. So I bought an adaptive spoon that had a larger grip, but it was much heavier so she can only do it a couple of times before her hand tires.

I don't know of any surgery that strengthens the hands.

I do know that TES can be done on the hand. You use TES to help the weakest muscles. There are placements for the hands.

hope this helps a bit,
francine

I think sometimes doctors lump the diagnosis "Erbs palsy" to alot of things...It sounds more like you are describing "Klumpkes"...I guess in the long run it is the same thing....a brachial plexus injury....except I'm not sure the effect the wording has on official documentation(SSI...etc...).
My son also has hand weakness....His thumb pulls in...He has grip in his hand but it is very weak....His palm is very soft...the pad below his thumb is pretty much just not there.
T.

Julie,

My daughter had C6 and C7 torn and C8 nerve avulsed. Dr. Laurent told me that C8 controls the hand and the eye. My daughter also has Horner's Syndrome. Anyway, I just sent a video not too long ago to Texas and they are thinking about doing a radial nerve decompression(which Lisa D explained to me it's like a carpal tunnel surgery) to give my daughter more juice so when she is 5 yrs old and they do a tendon transfer she will have a better outcome to use her hand and fingers. Right now she had very minimal use of hand and her fingers basically only her thumb is slightly moving she usually has her hand balled up. I would e-mail Dr. Nath and see if he can give you anymore insight!