Medical Questions » Arms Questions » Question No. 1079
| Question: | My daughter is complaining about a little pain in her arm since the time I pulled her by the wrist to cross a muddy path while going outside. She immediately started weeping after I pulled her arm. Now, although she is not weeping, she is not using her arm pulled and sitting holding that arm slightly bent at the elbow. Has she incurred arm fracture just by pulling? Should I visit a doctor? I am very perplexed and frightened, please help? |
| Answer: | Your daughter might be suffering from Nursemaid' s elbow. It is a dislocation of the elbow joint, when a sudden pull is applied on the wrist or lower part of arm. For example, when a child is lifted by one arm up over a high step or is tugged by parent for something. This generally occurs in children under the age 3 years.
The forearm consists of two bones - the radius and the ulna, which are attached to each other both at the elbow end and also at the wrist end. The forearm including other movement allows the rotation about the long axis of the forearm. In this special movement, the ulna remains stationary and the radius rotates (which is conical in young children) at the elbow joint. If you pull the young child forearm, it cause radius to lose its proper fitting at the elbow joint. It' s a temporary condition, but it may result in permanent inability to fully move the elbow if not treated properly.
Nursemaid' s elbow generally is not reported in older children as their joints and the supporting structures are strong enough to bear the sudden pull.
You can apply an ice pack to the affected elbow. You should not try to straighten the affected arm. You immediately go to the doctor. Doctor will fix it without any surgery. You do not try doing at home by yourself. For future, never lift your child by one arm only. |
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