In England, between 1st April 2000 and 31st March 2010, the NHS Litigation Authority paid over £103 million in legal compensation for preventable harm associated with shoulder dystocia (250 claims)
Erb's Palsy: most common injury. Upper arm is flaccid and the lower arm extended and rotated towards the body with the hand held in a classic 'waiters tip' posture. Up to 90% of Erb's palsies recover by 12 months
Klumpke's palsy: less common. Hand is limp, with no movement of the fingers. Recovery rate is lower (40% at 12 months)
Total Brachial Plexus Injury: Total sensory and motor deficit of entire arm, making it completely paralysed with no sensation. Full functional recovery without surgery rare
Horner Syndrome: caused by sympathetic nerve injury resulting in contraction of the pupil and ptosis of the eyelid on the affected side
In England, between 1st April 2000 and 31st March 2010, the NHS Litigation Authority paid over £103 million in legal compensation for preventable harm associated with shoulder dystocia (250 claims)
Erb's Palsy: most common injury. Upper arm is flaccid and the lower arm extended and rotated towards the body with the hand held in a classic 'waiters tip' posture. Up to 90% of Erb's palsies recover by 12 months
Klumpke's palsy: less common. Hand is limp, with no movement of the fingers. Recovery rate is lower (40% at 12 months)
Total Brachial Plexus Injury: Total sensory and motor deficit of entire arm, making it completely paralysed with no sensation. Full functional recovery without surgery rare
Horner Syndrome: caused by sympathetic nerve injury resulting in contraction of the pupil and ptosis of the eyelid on the affected side