DISCLOSURE: As a blogger, my content may include affiliate links from advertisers. I may earn a commission from actions readers take on these links, such as a click, purchase, or subscribe. However, these are the tools that I recommend fully and have helped my blog tremendously, and are at no cost to you.
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.
1. Nursemaid’s elbow is a common injury
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.
2. 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.
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.
3. Treating 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.
To avoid nursemaid’s elbow or any type of relapse, parents or caregivers should take care and try to limit movements that cause nursemaid’s elbow, including: raising, jerking, or shaking the child with the hand, wrist, or forearm. To safely pick up the child, gently grasp the underside of the arms. While it’s easier said than done, it’s helpful to keep this information in mind.
Thank for being here and hope the content is helpful for you! If you enjoy this content, don’t forget to like, comment and share!