ABSTRACT
Upper limb paralyses form a disparate group having multiple etiologies, extents, and prognoses. Classifications of these paralyses are numerous and have different goals. In this chapter, we emphasize classifications which may be used as a guide for surgical restoration of function . Neurologic and etiologic classifications are described in Chapter 1. Knowledge of the causes of the paralyses may have therapeutic consequences which can indicate or contraindicate surgery. Furthermore, the age of the patient is an important consideration for the surgeon. Young individuals have a greater capacity for learning, for normalization of the cortical representational topography, compared with adults.
