Could Subtle Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy Be Related to Unilateral B Glenoid Osteoarthritis?

BACKGROUND

Several factors associated with B glenoid are also linked with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). The purpose of this observational study was to determine the incidence of OBPP risk factors in type B patients.

METHODS

A cohort of 154 patients (68% men, 187 shoulders) aged 63 ± 17 years with type B glenoids completed a questionnaire comprising history of perinatal characteristics related to OBPP. A literature review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to estimate the incidence of OBPP risk factors in the general population.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (18%) reported one or more perinatal OBPP risk factors, including shoulder dystocia ( = 4, 2.6%), macrosomia >4 kg ( = 5, 3.2%), breech delivery ( = 6, 3.9%), fetal distress ( = 8, 5.2%), maternal diabetes ( = 2, 1.3%), clavicular fracture ( = 2, 1.3%), and forceps delivery ( = 4, 2.6%). The comparison with the recent literature suggested that most perinatal OBPP risk factors were within the normal range, although the incidence of shoulder dystocia, forceps and vaginal breech deliveries exceeded the average rates.

CONCLUSION

Perinatal factors related to OBPP did not occur in a higher frequency in patients with Walch type B OA compared to the general population, although some of them were in the high normal range.