Nursemaid's Elbow Treatment
Nursemaid's elbow is a common injury in young children that occurs when the ligament in the elbow slips out of place, often due to a sudden pull on the arm. Treatment for nursemaid's elbow involves a gentle reduction maneuver performed by a medical professional, which carefully realigns the joint. After the reduction, the child's arm may be temporarily immobilized in a sling or splint to support healing. Fortunately, most children regain full function of their arm without any long-term effects. It is essential to seek prompt medical attention and handle the arm cautiously to ensure a quick recovery, minimize discomfort, and allow children to return to their normal activities as soon as possible.
About Nursemaid’s Elbow Treatment
Nursemaid’s elbow occurs when the radius, one of the bones in the forearm, slips out of its normal position at the elbow joint. This condition is most common in children under four years of age and is also referred to as pulled elbow, slipped elbow, or toddler’s elbow. The medical term for this condition is radial head subluxation. Key symptoms include immediate pain in the affected arm, refusal or inability to move the arm, and signs of anxiety.
Procedure of Nursemaid’s Elbow Treatment
The treatment for nursemaid’s elbow involves a procedure called reduction, which gently manipulates the radius back into its proper position within the elbow joint. This procedure can be performed by a healthcare professional or a trained caregiver under guidance.
The steps for treating nursemaid’s elbow are as follows:
Comfortable Positioning: The child is placed in a comfortable position, often sitting on a parent’s lap or lying down.
Arm Manipulation: The healthcare professional or trained caregiver holds the child’s arm and elbow with one hand while using the other hand to gently rotate the forearm into a palm-up position.
Pressure Application: Maintaining hold on the arm and elbow, the healthcare professional or caregiver gently applies pressure to the radial head towards the elbow joint.
Repositioning Sound: A popping or clicking sound may be heard as the radius moves back into place.
Function Check: After the procedure, the child’s arm is assessed to ensure proper function and to confirm that there is no pain or discomfort.
This quick and effective treatment usually results in a swift recovery, allowing children to return to their normal activities without long-term effects.