possible 'pulled' elbow, does it need medical attention?

[misdee]

dd2 just pulled dd1 off the sofa by her arm. dd1 now crying and saying her elbow hurts and her fingers as well. she has had a pulled elbow in the past, didnt do much at the hospital, she fine after a few hours.

does it sound like its pulled or dislocated?

sorry no idea but thought I'd bump this for you. How is she now? Last thing you need today

Well if it's dislocated she would probably be screaming her head off and holding it bent and VERY unwilling to let you move or touch it. If she's moving it about then it's probably fine.

If the colour of her hand changes (ie goes blue or mottled) or goes cold, or if she's complaining of numbness/pins&needles/tingling then best get it checked at A&E.

We've had some experience with this too. If it's actually been dislocated she won't be moving it at all and screaming if you try to touch or move it. I would second what flumptina says.

When i was 2, my dad pulled me up off the floor. I cried at the time, but seemed fine all day until around 10pm when I apparently cired and cried non-stop.
My elbow had been dislocated and needed to be put back in place.
If yu are worried - get it checked

what I mean is, does nto always mean screaming etc

How's dd1's elbow?

I should have said that if she has had a 'pulled' elbow in the past that probably means that it has subluxed (slightly dislocated but popped back in by itself).

If the elbow is actually dislocated (often called nurse maids elbow when it happens in young children), then one of the bones in the elbow has 'come out' of it's normal position and is unlikely to go back in by itself. A trip to A&E, some x-rays, painkillers and a strong armed doctor or nurse is needed to put it back in place.

By your description sounds like she just pulled it. Keep checking for change in colour/temp/sensation (if dd1 is still up) but if all is well tomorrow then I'm sure she will be fine. They do have a habit of re-occuring to try to avoid sharp pulls on that arm for a while!!

Sorry to hear you're having such an awful time at the moment, kids really pick their moments to do such things don't they!

its a pulled elbow/soft tissue damage. she is using it now, slught wincing but not crying. she can move it, which is the main thing. wasnt down there too long, about an hour, so was in and out quick. thank goodness.

if it does start hurting more, over the next few days then i have to take her back.

It's really rare for a young child to properly dislocate an elbow, it takes a lot of force.

Pulled elbow or "nursemaids elbow" is a subluxation which usually does need to be popped back by a Dr but will sometimes go back itslef esp if you put the arm in a sling. With a pulled elbow the child will cry when it happens then the arm seems a bit limp.

HTH

Glad to hear she got seen quicky and seems to be on the mend.

kids eh? who'd have 'em?