Nursemaid’s Elbow Treatment in Shrewsbury, Edison, and Freehold, NJ

Nursemaid’s elbow is a condition where the elbow is pulled and one of the bones partially dislocates, essentially becoming, as its nickname states, a “pulled” elbow. This injury is very common, especially among younger children and toddlers.

The pediatric orthopedists with Atlantic Pediatric Orthopedics are members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and have extensive experience diagnosing and treating Nursemaid’s elbow. If your child is experiencing symptoms of nursemaid’s elbow in the Shrewsbury or Edison area, contact Atlantic Pediatric Orthopedics today to schedule an appointment. We see patients from Red Bank, Edison, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, New Brunswick, and Woodbridge Township. Call (732) 544-9000 to schedule an appointment today.

Why Are Children at a High Risk of Getting Nursemaid’s Elbow?

Children are at higher risk of having this injury because their bones and ligaments are typically soft and still developing, making it easier to sustain injuries of this type than a full-grown adult.

Here are some of the most common causes for children to sustain Nursemaid’s Elbow:

• Lifting your child by the hands
• Swinging your child while holding them by their hands
• Catching your child by the arm to prevent them from falling
• If an infant rolls over themselves

What Are the Symptoms of Nursemaid’s Elbow?

The most common symptom of Nursemaid’s Elbow is pain that sometimes causes an inability to move the arm. Sometimes children tend to keep their injured arm (sometimes appearing with a slight bend) to their side without moving it in order to prevent it from causing more pain. Nursemaid’s Elbow is sometimes a difficult condition to treat because the injury does not cause swelling or disfigurement.

How Do You Treat Nursemaid’s Elbow?

In order to treat Nursemaid’s Elbow, Dr. Stankovits or Dr. Curatolo will use a process called reduction. This is a process that involves gently moving the child’s bone and ligament back into place. Our orthopedic specialist will then fold the child’s arm upward and then turn their palm as the arm bends at the elbow.

They’ll support your child’s elbow with the other hand at which point you may hear a faint pop or clicking sound.

Though the process will only take a few seconds, your child may experience temporary pain during the reduction. Typically, the relief is felt immediately and most children are able to use their arm again within 5 to 10 minutes of the exercise. However, some children require more than one reduction to fully heal.