Erb's palsy or upper brachial plexus injury anatomy

This is about the anatomy of an upper brachial plexus injury, also known as Erb's palsy. Damage to the upper or superior trunk of the brachial plexus affects neurones running from the C5 and C6 roots to the axillary, suprascapular and musculocutaneous nerves in particular.

If we look at this anatomy and the muscles supplied by these nerves we can work out which muscles are likely to be weak, paralysed and/or atrophied, explaining the classical presentation of the upper limb in this injury. We will also consider what sensation in the upper limb might be affected and what movements might test for this.

If nothing else we'll have a better understanding of why we need to study the anatomy of the very complex brachial plexus.

Music by Jahzzar
Album: HiFi City Tales
Song: Bodies

[Momcat_maggiefelinefan]

Thank you so much for a wonderful lecture! I’m a retired ER nurse, worked in a teaching hospital in Canada most of my career. My mother was a tiny woman, father was a 6 foot tall Englishman and I was 9 pounds 1 ounce. I was born in 1953. Delivered by a GP, he caused the injury from what I assume was his attempts to extract me. My parents were never told what the injury was, how it occurred, but fortunately taught Mom and my 16 year old sister a physio routine. I had zero function, but sensation didn’t seem to be affected. I spent my childhood travelling 100 k to a travelling clinic to see paediatric surgeons. I grew up in Northern Ontario, a very medically under serviced area. I had some sort of nerve repair when I was 8. I was the 5th Canadian child to have the surgery, and the third successful outcome. When I was 16 I got a new GP, a British chap, who told me I had Urb’s palsy. I suffered a right numerous spiral fracture thanks to my overenthusiastic Lab 7 years ago. They couldn’t do a surgical repair due to the size and thinness of the bone, but was told that I could use a shoulder immobilizing sling for 6 months. It didn’t heal well and now I have pain in my arm for the first time. I learned a great deal from your lecture and now, at 69, finally know what happened to me so long ago. I can’t thank you enough!

[obaziemiracle]

I've been looking for a simpler way to understand the Erb's palsy because I'm having an anatomy presentation tomorrow morning on it and i came across your video at the right time...i love the fact that they're colourful illustrations so I understood better and you're a great teacher...you broke it down bit by bit that even a non-medical student would definitely understand it and I know it's been years since you posted this video so you might not get my comment but I'm really grateful and I hope i pass my presentation whilst using the knowledge acquired from your video. Thank you so much Mr Sam Webster ❤

[myishalorraine]

I suffer from a break you’ll plexus injury that occurred during delivery. It came from the forceps applying to much pressure to my shoulders. I am 35 and I still have no use of my right arm. I suffer from severe neuropathy. Thanks for this video

[SkateLeague]

I’m in clinical physio internship right now, thank you for these videos they really mean a lot to us. You’re an amazing teacher ❤️

[katewoods]

This video is amazing! You made it seem so simple and so easy to absorb and cleared all my doubts at the same time

[Tee]

I dunno why but I can actually pay attention to you!!
And I have poor concentration!!!
Your videos are sooo useful thank you so much Sir you're a lifesaver ❤

[pamudithaga]

What an amazing lecture. You truly are a gifted teacher. Thank you so much.

[moizzazahid]

HOW EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS SO INTERLINKED IS ADORABLE

[illanaisme]

Absolutely brillant!
Now I understand, my EMG on why my elbow flexion is weak and numbness on my radial forearm. It was from a PICC line as I didn't have any trama, falls, broken arm etc.

[Moali-ysvy]

one of the best teachers that i ever found on media, allot of thanks

[madi-kppo]

Hi Sam! I just wanted to leave a comment about your amazing explanation of things. I am a fellow teacher (woo-hoo!) but I am also someone who has a birth-induced brachial plexus injury. I wasn't able to move my right arm / shoulder / neck for the first 5 months of my life. And one night, it miracuously began gaining function. I had surgery when I was 10 and a brace to correct my wrist as an infant.

My movement is pretty significantly impacted and my body holds a certain way. Up until now, I've only been asked what it is and told people "It's a nerve damage thing so my arm's all messed up"... I never realized I hadn't learned fully for myself what I was dealing with.

My jaw dropped with your video! I am absolutely amazed. You explained everything so well and I feel like I can understand what happened to my body much better now, and why it still has its limitations.

Thank you so much for making this video! Fantastic job.

[tanvibanjan]

You are an amazing teacher! Bless YouTube for making it possible to learn from you:) Much love from India <3

[pratikshyarijal]

Thank you isn't enough to describe how much you have helped us. Your teaching style and sense of humor is impeccable. Thank you sir once again. We students are indebted to you. ❤️
Love from Nepal 🇳🇵

[rike]

I've had my erbs palsy since I was born. Back then, my arm hung limply and was completely paralyzed. I didn't have an operation, but my mother took me to an osteopath every day for my entire first year of life, which meant that I could move it and it was no longer completely paralyzed. I've actually been going to physiotherapy regularly for the last 17 years and that has really helped me a lot. It doesn't really bother me in everyday life. I subconsciously use my arm less, but no one I know has noticed. I was ashamed of it for a long time, but today I'm proud that I've managed to get to the point where it doesn't hinder me in everyday life. I just can't do things like work overhead. It often feels tense too.Thank you for your video! Until my mother found the doctor who could diagnose my illness, she went to many and no one knew what to do. It is important that people are informed so that they can act as quickly as possible.❤

[ashelodd]

i have erbs palsy from birth the way he described. thank you for this video i found it very interesting to learn about my condition, interestingly though i have different symptomes because of tendon implant and muscle moving surgeries.

[isabellacorrea]

Occupational Therapy student here and I just want to thank you for all your videos! Such a great and talented teacher :-)

[jw]

Thank you Sam, what a fabulous video, you have just described exactly what I have due to Parsonage Turner Syndrome.
My axillary and supraspinatus nerves aren't firing and have been in this state for approx 6 months now.
I can't abduct my arm nor lift above head.
My supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles are gone and have been replaced with fat according to the MRI scans.
Having another MRI this week of the brachial plexus to see why nerves not improving after such a long duration.
Orthopaedic surgeon said he can't do anything so is now in the hands of neurology.
Interesting to hear you mention nerve grafts?

[drahmedkhamas]

Thank you very much for the great illustration, now it's crystal clear!

[ZahidKhan-letb]

Thanks 🙏 I don’t know how someone can dislike these videos

[michaelogudamen]

You are a very good teacher. Thank you for this video. It was helpful.