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One minute, your toddler is giggling and twirling in circles, and the next, she’s clutching her arm, refusing to move it. Panic sets in—did she fall? Is it broken?
If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with nursemaid’s elbow, a common injury in young children caused by a sudden pull on the arm.
Also known as a toddler’s dislocated elbow, this painful but easily treatable condition happens when the ligament in the elbow slips out of place.
Whether it’s from an innocent swing by the hands or a quick yank to avoid danger, knowing the signs of nursemaid’s elbow—and how to fix or prevent it—can save you a trip to the ER.
When my little toddler girl was 3, she had her elbow accidentally dislocated while I tried to pull her up from the ground. She then suddenly cried, But after a while she had maintained a happy kid continue playing on.
I tried few ways to see if her hurt arm would lift by prompt her to play with that arm, she sometimes would respond but not as active as before. The next day morning when I tried to dress her up, she was refusing to put her right hand and arm into the sleeve, this raised my concern and shows a sign of nursemaid elbow.
So what’s nursemaid elbow? How and why it happened to our little ones? What are the symptoms? How to treat it and prevent it? I am sure many keen parents will be interested to know. Alright, let’s delve into this Topic in more details.
What is Nursemaid’s Elbow?
Nursemaid’s elbow is a common elbow injury, especially in toddlers and young children, especially those under the age of 5. This happens when a child’s elbow is pulled and one of the bones is partially dislocated, giving it the name “pulling the elbow.” Your doctor may call this a subluxation of the radial head.
Injuries often occur when a child’s hand or wrist is pulled too hard. It is common to see someone pick up a child with one arm. This can happen, for example, when trying to lift a child over curbs or high steps.
Many caring adults accidentally cause injuries through play or other normal activities. Sometimes adults aren’t immediately aware of the injury, especially if they weren’t there at the time. Pay close attention if you notice your child is protecting their arm and is reluctant to use it. If you suspect injury, seek medical attention immediately. A trained healthcare provider can easily repair a nurse’s elbow. When done correctly, the nurse’s arm and elbow reduction will provide immediate relief.
Symptoms of Nursemaid’s Elbow
A nursemaid’s elbow occurs when the radius (a bone in the forearm) slips from where it normally attaches to the elbow joint. This is a common disorder in children under the age of 5. It is also known as pulled elbow, slipped elbow, or toddler’s elbow. The medical term for nursemaid’s elbow is subluxation of the radial head.
Nursemaid’s elbow usually occurs in children between the ages of 1 and 4, although it can occur at any time from birth to around age 6. Young children’s bones and ligaments are still growing, causing some loosening of the ligaments. Because of this, it takes very little force to pull the elbow out of position, creating a nursemaid’s elbow.
Avoid pulling young children’s elbows. As they grow, their ligaments strengthen, reducing the risk of injury.
As children grow, their ligaments become stronger and tighter, reducing the risk of this painful condition. In some children, the ligaments in the joint may be particularly lax, which may lead to recurrence of nurse’s elbow in about 25% of affected children.
Sudden pulling or pulling on the hand or forearm are common causes of the dislocation of child’s elbow. Examples are when a parent reaches out to grab a child who is about to fall or take to the street, and the baby rolls over, falls, or the parent pulls or swings the child’s hand.
How to Treat Nursemaid’s Elbow?
Do not attempt to correct or repair the nursemaid’s elbow yourself, as this may cause further damage to the child’s bones and joints. If your child’s nursemaid’s elbow recurs several times, your doctor can teach you how to fix the problem at home, but it’s important to consult with your doctor each time you have an injury.
Your child’s doctor will treat the nursemaid’s elbow through a process called a reduction and there are a lot of videos on YouTube such as this video by Doctor Larry Mellick. The bones and ligaments are gently put back in place. The doctor folds the child’s arm up from a straight position and rotates the palm while the arm is bent at the elbow. Support your child’s elbow with your other hand. You may hear a faint pop or click.
How to Prevent Nursemaid’s Elbow from Happening Again
Once a child has experienced nursemaid’s elbow, they’re more likely to get it again—so prevention is key. To reduce the risk of recurrence, avoid pulling, jerking, or swinging your child by the hands, wrists, or forearms. Instead, when lifting them, gently support them under the arms. While it may take some conscious effort to break old habits (especially during playful moments or in emergencies), being mindful of these movements can help keep your little one’s elbow safe.
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