my three year old daughter broke her elbow towards the end of july. she jumped off my sons bunk bed and chipped a bone off her growth plate. she had surgery on it which placed two pins into the elbow to hold the broken peices together. she went in yesterday to have the pins and cast removed. my question is how do I help her work out the pain and stiffness in the joint or do I just leave her to do it on her own. she has an appointment next month to go to the doctor to see how she has recovered and to see how much movement she has in the joint. are there any excersises I can get her to do that would help . she is supposed to go slow at first and as the stiffness goes away go back to her normal activites but until then she is still on restricted activity. any suggestions would be great!!! thanks in advance.
she has regained full range of motion to that elbow she does ocashiionaly not like useing it but for the most part you cant really tell it was ever broken she didnt need PT she pretty much worked it out on her own with alot of support from my husband and I. she has recovered very well.
I am a physical therapist and I would recommend that you get a prescription for PT. DuPont hospital would be a great place to take her. Or you could just take her for one or two visits to any outpatient clinic and they can show you the correct exercises to help her regain her range of motion and strength.
Dear S.! Oh my GOSH!!!!! Poor thing, I know how she feels. About 3 years ago, i broke my elbow...on ice...i still get chills for the pain...child birth without medication is NOTHING! (at least to me)I had to have surgery as well and i have about 5 pins and 2 plates in it (or something like that)I am not sure how little kids take it, but for me it was a lot of hard work and therapy before my arm started to function. After the doctor took off my cast i could not move my arm, i could not bend it or straighten it either. My doctor sent me to see a phisical therapist, and about 3 times a week i was going to for my exsersises... Even on pain medication i was in a lot of pain. Within about maybe 9 month, my arm was moving much much better. i was scared that it will never function again (the way it should) but it has been 3 yaers and it does!!! What iam trying to say is that with time it will be normal again but it will take a lot of work. i dont know if your baby would have to go see the phisical therapist and i do dnot know how it works with young children (maybe the bones heale so much faster at the age of 2)But be patiant and DEFENETLY show her support. Do the therapy at home with her. The sooner she will start exsersising the arm the better for her, the sooner she will be able to fully use it. BUT MAKE SURE that you do exsersise it. You doctor will tell you what to do and how to do it, JUST DO IT! it will be painful, but at the end you will get 100% results!!!! I hope I helped you a little. i am sorry for my spelling:((( Good Luck and GOD BLESS the healing!
Didn't the doctor suggest physical thereapy? I would call the doctor and discuss this and follow their advice--not anyone on this message board. People may have opinions regarding what should or could be done, but they haven't seen the x-rays and the specific case. Only your doctor is qualified. You don't want to do something that could damage it further or harm the healing process.
I would call the doctor and take your child in for an appointment if she is in pain. I know sometimes Doctors may seem rushed or you forget to ask questions, but it is best to let them know that you are concerned and have questions. Have your questions written down. He may be able to advise you over the phone and since being the professional, would make that call. He knows your child's specific case.
Sure hope this helps, a little.
S.,
Ouch that had to really hurt. After consulting my husband about you situation, he recommended that you call your local orthopedic specialist in your area. Just to request info on the correct exercises for elbow injuries. Most offices should be willing to give suggestion or may recommend you stop in and see them for therapy. Short or that, my husband says, monitor she usage and range of motion, try curls with light objects at first(sponge, washcloth) from the side of her body all the way up to her shoulder. Then add heavier items like a toy, a doll and sofurth. gl with everything!
D.
HI - I just read about your daughter .
How is she doing? Fish oils help lubricate
your joints.
Health food stores carry it flavored in liquid some have chewable .Hope that helps .
-J.
