Nursemaid’s Elbow

Dislocation of the radius bone present in the elbow is called nursemaid’s elbow. This condition is very common among children below 5 years of age as their bones and muscles are still in the developing stage. This condition usually occurs when a child is pulled up too hard by the arm, but can also occur due to a fall or swinging your child by the arms.

Some of the symptoms associated with nursemaid’s elbow are:

• Pain in the elbow
• Your child may hold the elbow close to the abdominal area
• Movement of your child’s elbow is reduced

Initial treatment includes applying ice to the injury and preventing movement of the affected arm.  You should see a doctor right away to diagnose and treat the child.  Nursemaid’s elbow is diagnosed by a physical examination. Your doctor will examine if your child is able to move and bend the elbow.

Treatment involves fixing the dislocation by gently rotating your child’s forearms in such a way that the palm faces upwards.  Do not attempt this on your own as you could injure the child further.  Make sure to seek medical treatment for proper care.