Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injuries and Rehabilitatio
2 Şişli Etfal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, İstanbul
Obstetrical brachial plexus (OBP) palsy is a devastating type of nerve injury that severely limits upper extremity functions and causes social isolation of a developing child. It occurs at a frequency of ‰0.38-2.6 in normal births and causes total or partial arm weakness depending on the level of injury. Children with brachial plexus palsy should be evaluated by the rehabilitation team starting from birth and both consevative and surgical treatments should be considered. Improvements in elbow flexion and wrist extension in the first three months are good prognostic factors of recovery. Contracture of shoulder internal rotators and elbow flexors which become more pronounced as the child grows should be prevented by regular exercise and orthosis. The major issue in the therapy program is the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and the consensus of the patient, family, physiatrist, therapist and surgeon on the priorities of the patient .
Keywords : Plexus brachialis palsy, cocontraction, obstetric palsy, tendon transfer