Painful Pronation In Children: What To Do?
A painful pronation or nanny elbow is a mild subluxation of a bone in the elbow joint and usually occurs due to a quick pull on a child’s arm. So, in this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about painful pronation in children. Take note!
Painful pronation in children
Painful pronation is a frequent accident in young children that occurs from the age they start to walk, around 15 months to 5 years of age.
In general, painful pronation in children is caused by strong axial traction of the forearm, often performed by an adult holding the child’s hand as the child tries to pull away. It is unusual for children over the age of five to suffer from it, as their joints are much stronger.
On the other hand, you should be aware that a fall is the second most common cause of this type of injury. Basically, it’s a condition caused by pulling your child’s forearm while his or her arm is extended.
As a result, there may be a small fracture in the elbow bone that prevents your child from bending it completely. After a trauma to the axis, the radial head becomes subluxated, resulting in painful impotence of the affected limb.
Also, you need to know that the left arm is usually the most involved, probably because most caregivers are right-handed. Consequently, girls tend to be more affected than boys.
As a result of the pain, the child begins to cry and refuses to move the arm in order to keep the elbow still, slightly flexed and holding the forearm over the abdomen.
Afterwards, the nurse or doctor will put the elbow back in place. And it won’t do any long-term harm to the child.
What are the signs?
Ligaments normally hold the radius in place, but after a fall or sudden pull, the ligament can stretch excessively and the bone can partially slip under the ligament. In most cases, children with painful pronation will cry immediately after being pulled and will no longer use the injured arm.
In this regard, if you think your child is suffering from painful pronation, you should seek medical treatment immediately, either with your GP or in the emergency department of a hospital.
Unfortunately, the procedure is painful and distressing, but it only lasts for a brief moment and ends when the radial bone returns to its place.
On the other hand, if the elbow cannot be put back in place, or if your child is not yet using the injured arm, an X-ray should be taken to check for other possible injuries, such as a fracture. .
How should care be taken at home?
Once elbow pronation has been treated, the child should be able to resume normal activities.
However, if the elbow is partially dislocated for a long time, the child may need to take pain relievers for a day or two. Therefore, you should follow the nurse’s or doctor’s advice to gradually relieve pain.
If your child does not move his arm completely the next day, you should take him to the doctor so the arm can be re-evaluated. Remember that this will not harm the child in the long term if handled in a timely and appropriate manner.
To avoid painful pronation in children, you should make sure not to lift your child by the undersides of the arms or wrists, but rather by the armpits. Likewise, it is recommended to teach other caregivers, such as grandparents and daycare workers, the correct way to pick up the child.
Finally, remember that some children are more likely than others to have painful pronation. It can even happen more than once and it can happen several times in children who have particularly loose joints.
So, in view of this article, you should not be overly concerned, as it is best to see your doctor immediately when such an accident occurs.
