Nursemaid’s Elbow: Avoid Swinging Your Child

Young children love it when you swing them by the arms. Unfortunately, this act and other seemingly harmless ones can lead to nursemaid’s elbow—a common injury where the elbow slips out of its joint. Often seen in children aged 1 to 4 years, this injury can also occur in babies. Young children are especially susceptible because the elbow joint is loose enough to separate slightly when the arm is pulled to full length.

Other than swinging your child by the arms, the condition can be caused by lifting your child by the hand, pulling your child’s arm through a jacket sleeve, grabbing your child’s arm to stop him or her from falling, and dragging your child by the arm to hurry up. If your child has nursemaid’s elbow, typical symptoms are refusal to move the arm, crying from sudden pain in the arm and holding the arm close to the side.

Nursemaid’s elbow can be very painful for the child, so physical therapy initially focuses on pain relief. We may use ice, heat, taping and other pain relief techniques to help your child feel better.

Once pain is under control, hands-on techniques gently stretch the elbow and mobilize the joint. For young children, simple movements and games improve range of motion with daily activity. Strengthening exercises such as ball tossing will be used for the elbow. Your child’s program will also include strategies to improve coordination.

Just as important will be avoidance of activities that injure the elbow. We will explain how activities such as lifting a bag should not be performed. To prevent nursemaid’s elbow from recurring, follow these tips:

  • Always lift young children from under their arms.
  • Avoid swinging babies or toddlers by the arms or wrists.
  • Avoid lifting your child by the hands or wrists.

After just a few rehabilitation treatments, your child should show noticeable improvement. Soon enough after incurring nursemaid’s elbow, the child will regain lost range of motion while improving strength and coordination, returning to play blissfully pain-free.