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Children's health

DD fell on elbow no swelling, bruising or cuts but finding movement very sore?

24 replies

lexcat · 01/07/2009 19:09

Fell off a wall about 4 foot screamed blue murder even though the leg had a large graze the only pain was in her arm. Said it was the whole arm at the time. Gave her an ice pack and she calmed down.

It's now a couple of hours later she happy in herself but complains ever time she tries to straighten the elbow, or move the arm more then very small movements.

Should I be worried? Was going to see how it was in the morning but can't help worrying a bit.

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cookielove · 01/07/2009 19:11

i would get her checked out, better to be safe then sorry, especailly if she is still saying it hurts

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Crumpets · 01/07/2009 19:15

Could she possibly have tried to hang on with her arm? If so then she could have a pulled elbow - esp if she's holding it still by her side. I'd take her to A&E - if it is pulled they'll be able to sort it out easily.

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GhostOfPsychomum5 · 01/07/2009 19:18

go now. this happened to DD2, I ignored, then got told off the following day by the A&E staff.......elbow injuries are meant to be checked within 3hrs

DD2 had broken and dislocated her elbow.

please go.

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lexcat · 01/07/2009 19:30

She's just come in wanting her bath so she can go to bed. She's holding it up like it was in a sling. Ran a deep bath so she could get the elbow in the warm water which she said made it feel better.

Don't want to the A&E in less I really have to as I've never spent less the 3 hours there and really hate the way your general treated.

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PortAndLemon · 01/07/2009 19:32

This is quite a good time of day to go to A&E, though -- it's before the evening rush.

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PortAndLemon · 01/07/2009 19:33

( that I have enough experience to make these generalisations...)

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lexcat · 01/07/2009 19:42

Ok she started sreaming again because she moved it. Fine now but am going to take her in now.

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cookielove · 01/07/2009 19:44

do let us know how she is?

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PortAndLemon · 01/07/2009 20:54

Good luck!

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lexcat · 01/07/2009 21:33

Ok seen by really nice nurse (felt we were treated as people not numbers). Yes the fact she can't bend it or straighten it indicates their is a problem. Small problem it's a minor A&E so the X-ray department was closed. Two choices take her to the big A&E 15 miles away, or dose her with painkillers for the night and go back at 9 in the morning.

Went with second option as I hate the big A&E and dd not so keen on it. Plus it's was getting late and dd just wants her bed. So she's in bed max out on calpo arm in a sling waiting till the morning. Not sure how well it will go down with work that I'm going to be spending the morning in A&E and not tonight in my own time.

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AnyFucker · 01/07/2009 21:37

sounds like possible pulled elbow or dislocation

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lexcat · 02/07/2009 12:54

Up date she has not broken anything, but she has fractured a bone in the elbow. Got a half cast for now but have to go back to the fracture clinic on Monday to see what they want to do about it.

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AnyFucker · 02/07/2009 20:26

broken bone + fracture = the same thing

ask them to tell you exactly what she has done

good luck, btw, she will be fine, children are very resilient

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 12:46

Help been to the fracture clinic told it all fine. DD doesn't want to use the arm because she still has some pain so left it in the sling for now.

Problem is that on the X-ray the dr pointed out a very clear line right though the elbow joint. It looked fractured but he said it couldn't be as their was no swelling and she would be in a lot more pain if that was the case. I know that the growth plates in the elbow can make it hard to diagnose fractures but at the same time if left untreated can cause a lot of problems later.

Anyone's view would be gratefully excepted.

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AnyFucker · 06/07/2009 12:48

I don't understand

Are they telling you now that there is no fracture ?

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 12:59

Yes that's why I'm worried as I have done googling of growth plates and the fact that they say it's all fine makes me worry.

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AnyFucker · 06/07/2009 14:17

it is true, that damage to a growth plate is potentially serious

did they originally tell you the fracture was actually through the growth plate? And now they are saying it is fine, 5 days later

they may be basing that assessment on the fact that there is no haziness appearing round the site on Xray, which wouldindicate a collection of bone-healing cells

no haziness = no fracture

what I am not sure about is, is 5 days long enough to make that decision ?

do you have another appointment?

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 14:31

No new X-ray only the one from Thursday (morning after fall). No follow up appointment.

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AnyFucker · 06/07/2009 14:35

I see. In that case...

if the pain or loss of function persists for more than a couple more days, I would insist on another Xray

take her back to A+E if need be

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 16:14

OK she's back from school hasn't removed the sling all day. She said it's been hurting a bit but mostly when she's moved it by accident. I've just had demonstration of what movement she has. She seem to have some movement, but she just bent it up and screamed with pain. She can almost straighten the arm if her hand is facing inwards but hand face upwards she can't move it far. Lastly she can't rotate her wrist very much.

Sorry for my moans but not 100% sure she is OK and if I don't look out for he no one will.

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AnyFucker · 06/07/2009 16:23

is it her writing arm ?

have you spoken to her teacher to see how she is coping with you not around?

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 16:34

No it her left hand and she's right handed.

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lexcat · 06/07/2009 16:40

I'm going to take her back to A&E as the dr did say if it gets worst which to me it really dosn't look any better then it was on Thursday morning.

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AnyFucker · 06/07/2009 17:02

ok, I don't blame you

ask them to Xray it again, or at least arrange to do that in another week or so if it doesn't improve

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