The Use of Braces in Obstetric Brachial Paralysis

The subject of obstetric brachial paralysis, which up to a few years ago was considered incurable, has been brought before the medical profession by Taylor, Sever, Fairbank,1Platt2and myself. The etiology has been cleared up. The condition is now considered curable, and the earlier the treatments are instituted, the better are the results. The orthopedic surgeon is now being consulted very early, and thus he has a chance to prevent the distressing and disabling deformities and frequently to institute a complete cure. The best way of preventing the deformities is still an unsettled question. Some surgeons resort to the use of braces; others depend on massage and exercises alone. I advocate the use of braces very early in these cases, and I submit herewith a review of the cases of the first 200 patients with obstetric brachial paralysis coming under my care.3No attempt was made