# Upper Limb Orthotics/Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
## Describe your case study

The patient is a 2 month old female who had a forceps delivery. The patient has Erb-Ducheene palsy affecting the right upperlimb. The patient’s right upper limb had a typical “waiter tip position” on initial presentation at the age of 2 weeks, the shoulder adducted and internaly rotatedelbow extended and pronated and flexed wrist and fingers. At the age of 2 months the patient can achieve 90° of active shoulder flexion however the elbow remains extended and pronated with a flexed wrist. The patient is continuing to receive daily physical therapy and was receiving kineseo taping treatment but has had an adverse skin reaction to the adhesive. Parent is concerned about possible wrist contractures.

## Orthotic Treatment of Erb’s Palsy in the Upper Limb
### Introduction

Erb-Duchenne palsy (Erb’s palsy) is the most common obstetric brachial plexus palsy, and can be managed both conservatively and surgically (O’Brien, Park, Noetzel, and Weatherly, 2006). This paper will explore the orthotic treatment of Erb’s palsy in the upper limb. Firstly a basic, anatomical understanding of Erb’s palsy will be established. Then, a number of orthotic devices that can be used as part of a conservative treatment plan, as well as post surgically will be presented and finally compared.

### Cause

Erb’s palsy is a nerve injury to the upper roots of the brachial plexus: C5 and or C6 (Chater, Camfield, and Camfield, 2004; Srilakshmi, and Chaganti, 2013). The most common mechanism of injury is birth trauma caused by excessive bending or stretching of the infants’ neck during childbirth (O’Brien, et al., 2006), often as a result of a forceps delivery (Srilakshmi, and Chaganti, 2013 ). There are four types of nerve injury that may occur, varying in severity from stetching to complete detachment of the nerve. Neuropraxia is the most minor injury, caused by stretching; the injury typically heals on its own. Rupture is where the nerve has been torn but not completely severed, often requiring surgery to regain full function. Surgery is also required in the case of a neuroma, where scar tissue is preventing transmission along the nerve. Where as the most serious injury, avulsion, results in a complete detachment of the nerve, which cannot be surgically repaired and usually results in a permanent loss of function (Ruchelsman, Pettrone, Price, and Grossman, 2008). It is common for a combination of these injury types of varying severities to be present in a single case (Gherman, Chauhan, Oh, and Goodwin, 2005). As a result the severity of nerve injury in each case of Erb’s palsy varies greatly.

### Anatomy

Nerve damage to the upper roots can cause muscle weakness or paralysis, as well as sensory loss (O’Brien, et al., 2006). The upper roots of the brachial plexus innervate the deltoids, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, biceps, brachioradialis, supinators, wrist extensors and finger extensors (Chater, et al., 2004; Gherman, et al., 2005). Resultantly, an infant with Erb’s palsy typically presents with an adducted and internally rotated shoulder, an extended elbow, pronated forearm and flexed wrist and fingers (Ruchelsman, et al., 2008). Sensory loss may also be evident on the lateral upper arm and lateral forearm, corresponding to injury affecting the axillary and musculocutaneous nerves respectively (Chater, et al., 2004).

### Orthotic treatment options

The treatment pathway for Erb’s palsy commonly begins conservatively. Conservative treatment consists of occupational therapy, comprising largely of passive and active range of motion exercises (Ramos, and Zell 2000). Occupational therapy is complemented with orthotic treatment, as required throughout the rehabilitation process. The main purpose of orthotic use, in this instance is to prevent contractures in the wrist and fingers and to assist in movement where muscle weakness is present (Ruchelsman, et al., 2008). Both static and dynamic orthoses may be used and in some cases concurrently (Ruchelsman, et al., 2008). It is likely that the patient will use more than one type of orthoses during the rehabilitation process, as functional goals for the orthotic device will evolve as the patient grows and improves upper limb function.

### Low temperature wrist hand orthosis

Low temperature wrist hand orthoses (WHO) are one type of orthotic intervention that may be utilised. WHO are often used to prevent wrist and finger contractures by maintaining the wrist and fingers in an extended position (Chater, et al., 2004; Zafeiriou, and Psychogiou, 2008). WHO used for Erb’s palsy patients are typically static devices, as a result they can reduce functionality of the hand and are commonly prescribed as night splints (Ruchelsman, et al., 2008), although more functional designs do exist. The largest issue with WHO is as the infant gets older they learn how to remove the device, and the tolerance of the device decreases. WHO can be custom made or bought prefabricated and it is also important consideration the construction of the device to prevent injury.

### Supinator orthoses and taping

Supinator straps made of soft fabric used in conjunction with fabric WHO are dynamic devices that can be used to correct forearm pronation and encourage supination. While in some infants the device is not well tolerated for similar reasons to the WHO, the device has been shown to encourage muscle movement, unlike a static WHO (Chater, et al., 2004). Alternatively Kinesio arm taping can be used in a similar fashion, to increase forearm supination as well as wrist and finger extension (ElKhatib, ElNegmy, Salem, & Sherief, 2013). Research has shown that infants who receive Kinesio taping as part of a conservative treatment plan, recover faster than those who did not receive the Kinesio treatment (ElKhatib, et al., 2013).

### Elbow flexion orthoses

Elbow flexion orthoses are sometimes used to treat elbow flexion contractures. Elbow flexion contractures are common in older children with Erb’s paly who still suffer from minor functional limitations (Sheffler, Lattanza, Sison-Williamson, and James, 2012). The elbow flexion orthoses operates in a similar was to serial casting, with the angle of elbow flection increasing every few days. Elbow flexion orthoses can be purchased prefabricated or be custom made. Wrist and hand aspects can also be added to the device to counteract wrist and hand contractures as well.

### Evidence for orthotic treatment

Despite the wide acceptance as best practice and resultant implementation of orthotic use as part of a conservative treatment plan for Erb’s palsy, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to suggest orthotic intervention is effective (Bialocerkowski, Kurlowicz, Vladusic, and Grimmer, 2005; Chater, et al., 2004). Currently no randomised trials have been undertaken on the effectiveness of orthotic treatment in obstetric brachial plexus palsies, and of the minimal literature that is available it is inconclusive and of low validity (Bialocerkowski, et al., 2005). Despite the gap in the literature, the current conservative treatments are supported by more general literature on treating contractures in children (Teplicky, Law, and Russell, 2002). However it is evident that a significant amount of research needs to be undertaken in this area.

### Surgery

The treatment pathway for Erb’s palsy commonly begins conservatively, if no or limited improvement in function is seen at 3 months of age, surgical options are then explored (Miller, Allgier, and Louden, 2013). Surgical options include microsurgical reconstruction, nerve graphs and nerve transfers. Surgery often begins with an exploration of the brachial plexus to determine the types and locations of nerve injuries. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are also used pre-surgery to identify any underlying fractures and avulsion injuries. If a neuroma is identified nerve reconstruction in the form of a nerve grafts is typically undertaken, where as an avulsion injury may require a nerve transfer as well as nerve grafts (Miller, et al., 2013). More complex nerve injuries typically require further surgical procedures as well as achieve a lower overall function than those with simpler injuries (Ruchelsman, et al., 2008).

### Post surgery orthoses

The type of orthotic intervention prescribed post surgery, if any, is largely dependent on the severity of the case, age of the child and the type of surgery being undertaken. The general purpose of a post surgery orthoses is to promote healing in the optimal position and to improve movement functionality (Parent-Weiss, Weiss, and Jebson, 2005). One of the most common used devices post surgery, is a shoulder abduction-rotation orthoses (SARO). When using a SARO the child’s shoulder is held in abduction with the elbow in flexion, secured in place by an attachment to the torso (Parent-Weiss, et al., 2005). The angles of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion are altered to accommodate the child’s functional limitations. Historically this device has been custom made prior to surgery, however prefabricated versions are now available. Plaster casts are also an alternative used on occasion, but do not provide the adjustability of a custom or prefabricated device.

### Comparison of conservative and surgical orthotic treatments

Orthoses, in both the conservative and surgical treatment plans are primarily used to treat secondary conditions: preventing contracture and immobilisation after surgery. All orthotic types discussed each have different functional goals. Therefore it is important to ensure that the correct orthosis is utilised in the correct situation. While there are anecdotally different methods of taping and different designs for WHO and SARO, literature does not discuss the most effective strategy in producing customised orthoses or selecting the most appropriate prefabricated device. As a result clinicians may make decisions based on personal experience or preference rather than what is the most effective. Further research into orthotic design to determine the most effective design strategy for each functional out come would be desirable

### Conclusion

Regardless if a conservative intervention was used exclusively or in conjunction with surgical treatment, 80%-96% of Erb’s palsy cases are resolved after the first 12 months of life (Chater, et al., 2004). While there is currently no definitive clinical evidence to suggest that the use of orthoses in conjunction with occupational therapy is beneficial in preventing contracture and improving movement function, the treatment option is producing satisfactory results. Therefore until further research can be undertaken this method should be considered as best practice. While there is also no literature that specifically looks at the effectiveness of post surgery orthoses, the current practice is again anecdotally effective and should be continued until further research is completed. In conclusion, provided the chosen orthosis’ functions match the desired outcome of device use, all orthotic interventions outlined would be a satisfactory options. No one orthotic intervention has been clinically proven to be more effective or beneficial than any other.

### Search strategy

The following databases were used: Medline, CINHAL, Cochrane The following key words were used in varying combination of AND an OR: erb’s palsy, brachial plexus birth pas*, obstetric* brachial plexus injury, splint*, orthos*, surgery, intervention.