Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries From Oregon Medical Malpractice

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What You Need to Know About Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries from Oregon Medical Malpractice: Portland Medical Malpractice Attorney

Shoulder injuries resulting in weakened arms and hands are not what one typically envisions an infant having. They are not just adult problems, though. Brachial plexus birth injuries from Oregon medical malpractice happen to countless infants every day. Brachial plexus birth injuries, if they persist and are not treated properly, can result in permanent nerve damage that is difficult to manage. Spotting it head-on and aggressively advocating for your infant and you is crucial in preventing damage for life. Be fully informed and aware of how it gets diagnosed and the various treatments available. Our Oregon birth injury attorney is standing by to assist you in understanding brachial plexus birth injuries and the available treatments for it. 

What is a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury?

Brachial plexus is a system of nerves in the shoulder, that transport movement and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands. Brachial plexus injuries can happen in both adults, from accidents, and babies, during birth. For babies, this can be an issue at birth because the shoulders are highly affected during the birthing process.  This means that brachial plexus birth injuries from Oregon medical malpractice can be a serious problem.

For babies, brachial plexus injuries typically take two forms: Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy, although shoulder dystocia can occur as well. Erb’s Palsy is when the injury results in a weakened arm, specifically the upper half of the arm. Klumpke’s Palsy is when the injury results in a weakened arm, specifically the lower half of the arm. Both conditions can be temporary or permanent. Shoulder dystocia, on the other hand, is the mechanism for injury which can cause either type of aforementioned Palsy. The difference, here, is that shoulder dystocia can also cause other injuries, including broken bones.

One to two of every 1,000 babies experience a brachial plexus injury. It commonly occurs when the baby’s neck is stretched to the side during a challenging delivery.  Most babies recover from these types of injuries in the first month to six weeks following birth.

Ensuring Diagnosis of Your Baby’s Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

If your baby suffered one of these birth injuries, your pediatrician should conduct a thorough medical examination of your baby. This can take place at any point, but especially if the infant has not recovered, still, at six weeks following birth.

Additionally, special imaging studies, such as MRIs, X-rays, and nerve conduction studies can be performed. Our Oregon birth injury attorney can assist also in ensuring you are made fully aware of how brachial plexus birth injuries get diagnosed.

Proper Treatment of Your Baby’s Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries in Oregon

Fortunately, there are numerous treatments that can be explored and utilized if your baby has incurred a brachial plexus birth injury.

  • Physical or occupational therapy
    • Intended to keep the joints and muscles moving as frequent as normal
    • Parents learn how to perform range of motion exercises on their child numerous times a day
  • Botox injections
    • Aids in joint motion, rebalancing of muscles, and prevention of contractures and shoulder dislocations
  • Microsurgery
    • Repairs or reconstructs injured nerves
    • Entails nerve grafting and nerve transfer procedures
    • Not recommended for those 1 year plus
  • Osteotomy
    • Bones are cut and reoriented 
  • Tendon transfers
    • Separation of the tendon from its normal attachment and reattaching it to a new location
    • Allows a stronger muscle to help a weaker one, to restore its functioning
  • Capsulorraphy
    • Tightens loose tissue around the shoulder joint
  • Free muscle transfers
    • Leg muscles are used to replace dysfunctional muscles in the arm or hand

Ask our Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Help

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.

For a free case evaluation

Call

(541) 385-1999 in Bend, Oregon
(503) 479-3646 in Portland, Oregon
(612) 444-3374 in Minnesota

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