Klumpke’s Palsy: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Legal Options

Understand the causes and treatment options for Klumpke’s paralysis and when your child might be entitled to compensation

Klumpke’s palsy, also known as Klumpke’s paralysis, is a rare but significant birth injury that affects the brachial plexus, a network of nerves near the neck that are responsible for controlling the muscles in the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Characterized by weakness or paralysis in the forearm and hand, Klumpke’s palsy can result in a range of motion difficulties and, in some cases, a permanent disability if not treated promptly and appropriately.

This article aims to shed light on Klumpke’s palsy, exploring its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and the long-term outlook for affected infants, providing essential information for parents and caregivers navigating the challenges of this birth injury.

What are birth injuries of the brachial plexus?

Brachial plexus birth injuries occur when the network of nerves responsible for sending signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand, known as the brachial plexus, is damaged during childbirth.

This damage can lead to varying degrees of arm weakness, loss of muscle control, or paralysis in the affected newborn. These injuries often result from excessive stretching of the baby’s neck to one side during a difficult delivery.

Two of the most common types of brachial plexus injuries are Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy.

What is the difference between Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy?

Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are both types of brachial plexus injuries but affect different areas of the brachial plexus network, leading to distinct symptoms and areas of paralysis or weakness in the affected arm.

What nerves are damaged in Klumpke’s palsy?

In Klumpke’s palsy, the injury involves the lower brachial plexus, particularly damaging the C8 and T1 nerve roots. These nerves are crucial for the movement and sensation in the forearm and hand, leading to characteristic symptoms such as weakness, paralysis, and a “claw-like” deformity of the hand and fingers when these specific nerve roots are affected.

Why does Klumpke palsy result in claw hands?

As previously discussed, Klumpke’s palsy occurs when specific nerves in the baby’s lower neck, which are part of what’s called the brachial plexus, get injured. These nerves are like the body’s electrical wires that control the muscles in the forearm and hand. When these nerves get damaged, they can’t send the right signals to the muscles in the hand and forearm.

Because of this, the hand forms a claw-like shape where the fingers are bent at the joints, creating the “claw hand” appearance. This happens because the muscles aren’t working together as they should, leading to an imbalance and the characteristic hand posture seen in Klumpke’s palsy.

What is the prognosis for Klumpke’s palsy?

The prognosis for Klumpke’s palsy can vary significantly depending on the severity of the nerve damage.

This suggests that many individuals with Klumpke’s palsy may experience significant improvement or even full recovery of function without the need for surgical intervention, especially if the nerve damage involves neurapraxia, which is the mildest form of nerve injury characterized by a temporary loss of nerve function.

However, it’s important to note that some cases of Klumpke’s palsy can result in permanent disabilities, ranging from mild to severe. The extent of recovery often depends on the type of nerve damage and the timely initiation of treatment, including physical and occupational therapy.

Early and consistent rehabilitation efforts can optimize the chances of recovery by preventing joint stiffness and improving muscle strength and function. In instances where nerve damage is more severe and spontaneous recovery is not achieved, surgical options may be considered to repair or graft nerves to restore function, although outcomes can vary.

Is Klumpke’s palsy always the result of a preventable birth injury?

Klumpke’s palsy is not always the result of a preventable birth injury. However, certain medical mistakes, can lead to this type of brachial plexus injury, including:

• Mismanaging fetal malposition (breech birth) or fetal macrosomia (large baby)
• Mishandling the baby during delivery or improperly using forceps or a vacuum extractor
• Failing to address delivery complications promptly (e.g., failing to perform a necessary cesarean section (C-section) when medically indicated)

Since it’s challenging to discern the precise cause without a thorough review, consulting a birth injury attorney is the best way to determine if medical negligence played a role. An experienced attorney can evaluate the specifics of the birth and the medical care provided and advise you of your potential legal options.

How can Brown Trial Firm help if I suspect my baby’s Klumpke’s palsy was caused by a medical mistake?

If you suspect your baby’s Klumpke’s palsy was caused by a medical mistake, the experienced birth injury attorneys at Brown Trial Firm can provide crucial support by:

• Evaluating your case. We’ll review medical records and the details of the delivery to assess if negligence occurred.
• Consulting medical experts. We’ll collaborate with medical experts who can testify about standard care expectations and whether deviations may have led to your baby’s condition.
• Providing top-notch legal guidance. We’ll guide you through the legal process, helping you understand your rights and the steps involved in pursuing a claim.
• Maximizing compensation. We can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages to support your child’s current and future needs.
• Advocating on your child’s behalf. We’ll advocate on your child’s behalf in negotiations or in court, aiming to secure the best possible outcome for your family.

At Brown Trial Firm, birth injury attorney Laura Brown helps children and families across the U.S. dealing with birth injuries get the justice and compensation they deserve. Laura understands that the legal process can be intimidating; that’s why she offers free consultations where you can tell her your story, and she can provide you with an honest assessment of your case.

References

Raducha, J. E., Cohen, B., Blood, T., & Katarincic, J. (2017). A Review of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Injury and Rehabilitation. Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013), 100(11), 17–21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29088569/