What is Erb’s palsy?

What is Erb’s palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a nerve condition in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function. The brachial plexus is a group of five nerves that connect the spine to the arm and hand. These nerves allow your shoulder, arms and hands to feel and move. If these brachial plexus nerves don’t work well due to stretching or tearing, the condition is called a brachial plexus palsy. Erb's palsy is the most common type of brachial plexus palsy. It involves the upper nerves in the plexus. Palsy is another name for partial or complete loss of muscle function — muscle weakness or paralysis.

Erb’s palsy is also known as Erb-Duchenne paralysis.