Erb's Palsy is a progressive disease which affects the facial muscles. This condition causes the muscles in the face to relax and give way to a series of involuntary contractions of the muscles that cause the face to fall out of shape. The face may also droop to one side, and there can be an open-mouth appearance. This is sometimes referred to as "face drooping"parafacial drooping".
Erb's Palsy is not the same as facial paralysis or motor neurone disease. Paralysis is caused by damage to the spinal cord and causes the patient to be immobile. Motor Neuron Disease is caused by damage to the brain and is caused by paralysis in the muscles of the face, head and neck.
The cause of Erb's Palsy is unknown, but researchers are continually trying to find the answer to the question of what triggers this disease and how it can be prevented. It is believed that this disease is caused by neurological damage in the area of the brain that controls facial muscles.
People with Erb palsy may have balance problems such as unsteady standing. They may also have difficulty holding their heads up or not being able to see straight, although this is not a major problem for most patients. Other signs and symptoms include trouble opening and closing the eyes or difficulty moving the jaw.
Since this condition has no known cause, it is not considered a serious condition. Treatment focuses more on relieving pain rather than addressing the underlying cause. There are medications that help control muscle contraction and physical therapy that helps strengthen and repair the facial muscles.
Patients with this condition should seek the help of a qualified healthcare professional to help determine the type of treatment that is best for them. If the condition is not life-threatening, surgery is usually not indicated.
If the condition is severe, treatment may include removing the facial muscles to reduce damage to the nerve that causes the contractions.
There is hope for a cure, but the goal is still to minimize facial deformity. instead of completely removing the facial muscles
Erb's palsy can be a very uncomfortable condition, but it is treatable. It may take months or even years to recover, but the goal is still to improve the condition and restore some function of the facial muscles.
Many doctors recommend massage or acupuncture to relax the facial muscles. While these methods are effective, they are not as effective as actual surgery.
Because Erb's Palsy is caused by neurological damage to the area of the brain that controls facial muscles, surgery is usually performed on patients with other spinal cord injuries. The surgeon removes the damaged area to treat the cause of the condition, allowing the facial muscles to become strong again.
Surgical procedures are generally a last resort for dealing with Erb's Palsy. In addition to the loss of facial muscles, patients may also need to use a splint or mask to help protect their airway. While the treatment may reduce facial weakness, it can be ineffective if the nerve damage is not corrected. and only masks the problem.
The treatment for this condition depends largely on the cause of the condition. While surgery may help, it may not eliminate the need for physical therapy.
Physical therapy is typically the first line of defense in reducing the damage to the cranial nerve. Patients should continue with these activities long after the procedure has been completed. Physical therapy should include gentle exercises and stretches that strengthen the facial muscles to ensure they are always working properly.