ADIAL HEAD SUBLUXATION NURSEMAID ELBOW

RADIAL HEAD SUBLUXATION NURSEMAID ELBOW

Radial head subluxation nursemaid elbow is an early childhood injury. A radius is forced away from its normal location by one of two long bones in the forearm. Then, the ligament which supports the radial bone slips into the joint of the elbow. The radial bone can’t move back into its usual position when this happens.

The bones and muscles of the young child are still developing. It takes little force to pull the bones of the elbow. This injury occurs in young children from one to four years old. It happens any time from birth up to six or seven years of age.

This injury causes initial pain but the doctor easily resets the elbow, relieves discomfort, and restores arm movement.

What Is The Cause Of A Radial Head Subluxation Nursemaid Elbow?

Radial head subluxation occurs in young children. It occurs when a young child is pulled or raised by the hand or wrist while his or her arm is held straight. 

Sometimes, physical abuse is the cause of this injury. 

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of radial head subluxation nursemaid elbow are:

  • Refusal in moving the arm
  • Crying
  • Pain anywhere between the hand and the shoulder

DIAGNOSIS

  • The doctor will ask about the cause of the injury, the symptoms, and examine the physical exam results.
  • The doctor will touch or feel the areas of the arm and move the arm in certain positions. 
  • The doctor will ask for X-rays of the elbow if your child has a serious injury.

TREATMENT

Radial head subluxation nursemaid elbow is treated by a doctor. 

  • The doctor will then free the trapped ligament on your child’s arm and put the end of the radius to its normal position.
  • The doctor will rotate your child’s forearm and gently bend your child’s arm from elbow toward the shoulder.
  • The doctor will place a splint on your child’s arm until the pain is gone.
  • The splint is not needed when your child moves the arm normally without pain.

Things To Do After The Treatment

After treating your child quickly, he or she might have another radial head subluxation. Here the useful things to do:

  • Be careful in holding or lifting your child. 
  • When walking your child, be careful in holding his or her hand or forearm. 
  • Follow your doctor’s directions on how to care for your child after a radial head subluxation.

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