Purpose: Description of shoulder sequelae in obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI) patients who had spontaneous functional recovery, in the context of historical and current conservative methods of treatment.
Method: Case study of a baby with serious complications, followed by a review of the literature from 1900 until 2001 about conservative treatment of OBPI with respect to the prevention of shoulder complications.
Results: Description of contractures and bony deformities did not show important discrepancies over time, other than more detailed images because of new technical possibilities. There is no agreement on the explanation of the development of these deformities. Secondary changes caused by muscular imbalance and longstanding contracture are recognized by all authors. A primary osteoarticular lesion was recognized as a possible cause in the beginning of the twentieth century, then forgotten for a long time and only in the 1980s had gained interest again. The main change in treatment concerns the use of arm braces. This was strongly recommended in the first half of the twentieth century, then advised against and is at this moment not anymore mentioned.
Conclusions: There is no consensus on the cause of contractures and bony deformities in children with OBPI. Conservative methods of treatment have changed over the years, without research on the outcome of these treatment changes.