Klumpke's Palsy

About Klumpke's Palsy

Kumpke’s palsy also known as Kulmpke’s paralysis is a type of partial palsy located on the lower parts of the branchial plexus or the spinal nerves at the back of the neck. The paralysis involves hand and forearm muscles not working properly as well as abnormal posture in the long term. The abnormality extends to the armpit giving rise to the upper limbs.

Kumpke’s palsy can result from childbirth difficulties specifically due to traumatic vaginal delivery. This type of paralysis also causes abnormal posture including supination and flexion of the elbow. According to statistics, this branchial plexus injury affects every 500 to 1000 births on average.

According to the Office of Rare Diseases or the ORD in the United States, about 200, 000 Americans have Klumpke’s palsy.

Symptoms of Klumpke’s palsy include claw hand, ulnar nerve distribution and paralysis of hand muscles. The said paralysis may also result in Horner’s syndrome also known as oculosympathetic palsy. Medical practitioners say that there are 4 main nerve injuries that a child can suffer from during delivery that may result in Klumpke’s palsy. One of these injuries include a forcible tearing of the nerve on the spine during birth can cause Klumpke’s palsy. Ruptures in the nerve can also cause this injury. When ruptured nerves try to heal themselves after being forcibly torn, a neuroma or a scar tissue will form –an additional symptom that new parents should look for.

One can prevent Klumpke’s palsy by expecting risk factors such as gestational diabetes, obesity, mother’s excessive weight gain, mothers who have a small pelvis and those who have given birth to larger babies compared to normal and mother’s who are in post-term pregnancy. The ailment is preventable if healthy delivery is ensured.

Conditions Caused By Klumpke's Palsy

Side Effects & Symptoms

Warnings & Recalls

There are safety measures for birthing procedure practiced in the medical community but many medical professionals do not follow these procedures resulting to birth injuries.

Helpful Information