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Radial head dislocation Considerations:
This is a common but easily preventable injury in 1 to 3 year old children.
Once the elbow dislocates it is likely to do so again, especially in the 3 or 4 weeks following the injury.
Causes:
This injury occurs frequently among toddlers. It is caused by a sudden pull on the child's arm or hand. It typically occurs when an adult pulls the child up from the arm, often to prevent a fall, to assist the child up a curb, or to hurry the child along. Swinging toddlers from the arms while playing can also cause this injury.
" Nursemaid's elbow " does not usually occur after 4 years of age. By this time the child's joints and ligaments are stronger and they are less likely to be in a situation where this injury might occur.
Symptoms:
- immediate pain anywhere between the hand and the elbow
- persistent crying after incident
- inability or refusal to move affected part (may clutch the arm next to body)
- refusal to play
- palm of hand faces down on the injured arm
- swelling may occur several hours after the injury
Do not:
- DO NOT move the child without first splinting the arm.
- DO NOT attempt to straighten the arm or change its position.
Call Your Healthcare Provider if:
(This injury is not usually a medical emergency, but medical attention should be sought as soon as possible to reposition the affected joint.)
First Aid:
1 Apply an ice pack to elbow.
2. Splint the injured arm in the position in which you found it. Immobilize the area both above and below the injured joint.
3. Take the child to the doctor's office or emergency room. In some cases of frequently recurring nursemaid's elbow , your physician may teach you how to attempt to relocate the elbow yourself.
Prevention:
- Do not yank or pull children by the hand or forearm. Lift small children from under the arms.
- Do not swing children by the hand or forearm. To swing a young child in circles, support them under the arms and hold their upper body next to yours.
This photograph shows the arm bones at the point of articulation (the joint area) between the bone of the upper arm (humerus) and the two bones of the lower arm (radius and ulna).
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