Parents should be Aware of the Nursemaid Elbow Injury in Children!
A Nursemaid elbow is common in children younger than 7 years old. It happens when someone innocently swings a young child by the arms, pull the child’s arm while in a hurry or when the child falls. The forearm bone slips out of place from where it is normally attached to the elbow joint. A six-month-old or younger child suffer this injury when they suddenly roll over onto their arm.
It occurs at that age because the young child’s bones and muscles are still developing and when pulled with little force, the bones of the elbow partially moves out of place, making the injury common.
Parents might find it frightening because they find their child suddenly can’t move or use their arms, but do not worry because a nursemaid elbow is usually a temporary condition without permanent consequences and either a doctor or healthcare professional can easily reset the elbow that restores the arm movement.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of this injury is easily noticed because dislocated muscles causes discomfort and pain to the child.
- Immediate pain in the injured arm
- The child won’t or can’t move the injured arm
- They won’t let other touch their arm
- Protects the injured arm with the other hand
- Anxiety
The nursemaid’s elbow does not cause any skin redness, swelling or discoloration of the skin.
How do you manage and prevent this injury at home
To help relieve the pain, use a cool moist towel or a small bag of ice wrapped in a towel but it is advisable to bring your child immediately to the nearest doctor or emergency department when the injury occur.
Once the child sustained this kind of injury, it is more likely to happen again so if it does, call your child’s doctor for further treatment and evaluation.
To help prevent this to happen again here are some guidelines to follow:
- Avoid pulling or swinging your child by the arms or hands.
- Don’t lift your child up by his or her arms or hands.
- To safely lift your child hold gently under their armpits and pull them upwards.
- Do not pull them towards you whenever they pull you in different direction.
- Always keep an eye to your child in the playground because sometimes children play in monkey bars.
Consult your child doctor for more information.
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