Sprained elbow

[Ureshii3]

My 2yo+ toddler seems to have sprained his left elbow this evening in a struggle with Daddy when he tried to break free He was pointing to his left lower arm when asked where it's hurting and kept complaining pain... He hardly could move the whole arm and had to keep it straight most of the time so I guess it could possibly be a sprained elbow We have been recommended by kind souls to bring him for an xray in one of the nearest hosp-St Theresa Hosp. or see a bone specialist Dr Joseph Chan in Jordan just to check on bone abnormalities Also Chinese 'tui-na' doc for sprains Any feedback on these suggestions/doc or other advice? TIA!

[Honkyblues]

Please just take him to the nearest hospital for an x-ray. My friend was playing with her 2 year old yesterday and the little girl ended up with a dislocated elbow. These things happen - just get it checked out asap.

[howardcoombs]

What I would do : A bit of ice and bit of pressure; the pain will go away soon enough. If anything was broken or dislocated, toddler would be screaming big time. If the toddler is just complaining and not screaming then I doubt there is any big deal going on.

Quick xray : If you want a bit of peace of mind, then do it. Its really not necessary but wont cost you very much either.

Seeing bone specialist : Completely un-necessary, overkill and can be very expensive to boot.

Why would anyone suspect bone abnormalities when you know exactly what caused the problem; some horseplaying around the house.

[Gemma]

I'd suggest seeing doctor and see if e needs an X-ray. Toddlers can dislocate their elbow easily. Happened to my nephew when he was nearly 2. That's why paeds recommend not to swing them pulling on their arms or pull them up to a sitting position. My nephew didn't scream, but my brother just noticed him not using his arm the whole morning and took him to the doctor. He didn't need an X-ray though, doc took one look and popped it back into position.

[Gemma]

Oh and agree with hc, orthopod would be an overkill. A good GP would be suffice. Nursemaid's elbow, quite common in toddlers.

[Ureshii3]

Thanks to all for the prompt inputs We went to a hospital, saw a doc, did xray & was referred to see an othorpaedic surgeon who fixed LO's pulled elbow back LO was ok after a short while to our great relief

What I would do : A bit of ice and bit of pressure; the pain will go away soon enough.

There wasn't any swelling so we are not sure if ice will help If it can help with pain, maybe can try it next time (hopefully never!)

Why would anyone suspect bone abnormalities when you know exactly what caused the problem;some horseplaying around the house.

Actually I didn't witness the incident thou I was nearby but it was not horseplaying around the house DH was trying to stop LO from breaking free from him at the lift corridor Somehow the pulling and the tugging ended that way LO cried and showed us the part where DH grabbed him was hurting a great deal and couldn't move the whole arm Kids bones are still developing and thus vulnerable Perhaps the impact might not be great enough to affect the bone but since LO's still so young one can never be sure what could or could not happen in there where it's not commonly visible Anyway it's just a suggestion made to us

I'm glad it's over and doesn't affect our plans to fly home soon:)