What is the Difference Between Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy | Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

The key difference between Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy is that Erb’s palsy is the paralysis of the arm as a result of neuronal damage to the upper C5 and C6 nerves, while Klumpke’s palsy is the paralysis of the lower arm, wrist, and hand as a result of neuronal damage to the lower C8 and T1 nerves.

Palsy is a medical term for paralysis or paresis. There are different kinds of palsy, which include Bell’s palsy, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy, conjugate gaze palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, squatter’s palsy, third nerve palsy.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Erb’s Palsy
3. What is Klumpke’s Palsy
4. Similarities – Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy
5. Erb’s Palsy vs Klumpke’s Palsy in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Erb’s Palsy vs Klumpke’s Palsy

What is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is the paralysis of the arm as a result of neuronal damage to the upper C5 and C6 nerves. It can cause partial or full paralysis. Erb’s palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.8 per 1000 live births or 12000 cases per year. Newborns get this condition due to stretch or tear of the brachial plexus nerves from neck to shoulder or due to the way they were lying in the uterus during pregnancy and once labour begins. Adults get this condition due to traffic accidents, gunshot or knife wounds, industrial accidents, accidents due to contact sports like football, surgical complications, and tumors. The signs and symptoms of Erb’s palsy may include paralysis of the shoulder, arm and elbow, numbness in the arm or hand, and a hand position called “Waiter’s tip” position.

Erb’s palsy is diagnosed through physical examination, electromyography, and imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, myelogram, and X-ray). Furthermore, treatment options for Erb’s palsy include stretching exercises, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, injecting botulinum toxin (Botox), and surgery (nerve repair and muscle repair).

What is Klumpke’s Palsy?

Klumpke’s palsy is the paralysis of the lower arm, wrist, and hand as a result of neuronal damage to the lower C8 and T1 nerves. Klumpke’s palsy occurs in 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births. Newborns get this condition due to injuries or trauma to the brachial plexus nerves. It can happen at any age. The adults get this condition due to accidents and traumatic damage to nerves and tumors around the brachial plexus nerves. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include limp lower arm, minimal arm and hand movement, poor reflexes, loss of sensations, paralysis, stiff joints, pain, weakness in the muscles, atrophy, claw hands, and tightened hands and fingers.

Klumpke’s palsy can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI electrical activity, and nerve conduction tests. Furthermore, treatment options for Klumpke’s palsy include gentle massaging, physical therapy, and surgeries to reconstruct the damaged nerves.

What are the Similarities Between Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are two different kinds of palsy.
Both conditions can be caused by brachial plexus nerves damages in newborns and traumatic accidents in adults.
These conditions can have similar symptoms, such as muscle weakness and pain in the arms.
Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
They are treated with physical therapy and surgeries to damaged nerves.

What is the Difference Between Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is the paralysis of the arm as a result of neuronal damage to the upper C5 and C6 nerves, while Klumpke’s palsy is the paralysis of the lower arm, wrist, and hand as a result of neuronal damage to the lower C8 and T1 nerves. Thus, this is the key difference between Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy. Furthermore, Erb’s palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.8 per 1000 live births or 12000 cases per year. On the other hand, Klumpke’s palsy occurs in 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births.

The below infographic presents the differences between Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Erb’s Palsy vs Klumpke’s Palsy

Palsy or paralysis causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of sensation. Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are two different kinds of palsy. Erb’s palsy is the paralysis of the arm as a result of neuronal damage to the upper C5 and C6 nerves, while Klumpke’s palsy is the paralysis of the lower arm, wrist, and hand as a result of neuronal damage to the lower C8 and T1 nerves. So, this is the key difference between Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy.

Reference:

1. Chater, Michael, et al. “Erb’s Palsy – Who Is to Blame and What Will Happen?” Paediatrics & Child Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Klumpke’s Palsy – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options.” Child Birth Injuries.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Erb’s palsy in right upper limb, Medial View” By Kodiefeher at English Wikiversity (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Brachial plexus 2” By Brachial_plexus.jpg: Original uploader was Mattopaedia at en.Wikipedia derivative work: Captain-n00dle (talk), MissMJ – Brachial_plexus.jpg (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia