Hi
My daughter who is almost 2 and a half has had nursemaids elbow (elbows dislocate) since she was 6 months old. It happened once when she was 6 months old and didnt happen again until a few months ago. We took her to the ER and the dr. put it back in place. Her pediatrician showed my husband and myself how to put it back in so there are no more visits to the ER.
What I am worried about is that this month alone it has happened 3 times( not always the same elbow). Once
it happened when she fell ,the other two times she simply changed the position of her arm and it popped out. We do not pull on her
arms at all.We always tell others who are playing with her not to pull on her arms as well. When we pick her up it is always by the armpits. We never let her hang on playground equipment either. Has anyone else had this problem? Should I take her to a specialized dr. other than her pediatrician? Her pediatrician said it should get better by the time she is 5.
My daughter suffered from that when she was young.It would also happen just changing positions like getting up from the table at a restaurant once time. She outgrew it and now has no problems with it. I would take her to a specialist just to check everything then don't worry too much. D. G
M.,
My son had it happen twice when he was a toddler. The ped said once it happens it is more likely to happen again and again. I wouldn't worry but if it makes you feel better you could go to get a second opinion. Sometimes it is worth a second opinion just for a little peace of mind.
A.
Hi M.,
I wouldn't worry about it too much. I was in the same position as you several months ago. Getting to the point where I was wondering the same exact thing because it was happening so much. But, knock on wood, it hasn't happened for months and I think they just grow out of it. Or, should I say that their ligaments and things get stronger so that it doesn't happen as much anymore.
My daughter is almost 3 now and we haven't had an incident since January. I only know this date because we ended up at Urgent Care because neither my husband nor I could pop it back into place.
Good Luck and don't worry! You're doing everything right. She will grow out of it.
Hugs,
A. H.
She could have
A mild case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehlers-Danlos_syndrome.
I have had to explain it to two of my doctors.
I have it an have to sleep with a pillow propping my shoulder at night so it does not dislocate.
Symptoms vary widely based on which type of EDS the patient has. In each case, however, the symptoms are ultimately due to faulty or reduced amounts of Type III collagen. EDS most typically affects the joints, skin, and blood vessels, the major signs and symptoms include:
Highly flexible fingers and toes
Loose, unstable joints that are prone to: sprains, dislocations, subluxations (partial dislocations), hyperextension (double jointedness) [3]
Flat feet
High and narrow palate, resulting in dental crowding
Easy bruising
Fragile blood vessels resulting from cystic medial necrosis with tendency towards aneurysm (even abdominal aortic aneurysm)
Velvety-smooth skin which may be stretchy
Abnormal wound healing and scar formation
Low muscle tone and Muscle weakness
Early onset of osteoarthritis
Cardiac effects: Dysautonomia typically accompanied by Valvular heart disease (such as mitral valve prolapse, which creates an increased risk for infective endocarditis during surgery, as well as possibly progressing to a life-threatening degree of severity of the prognosis of mitral valve prolapse) [4]
Hey there M.. My now 11 year old also had nursemaid elbow. We did the same thing, first few trips to the ER then we learned how to put it back in ourselves. My daugther was 8 months when it first happened. She was just sleeping and when she woke up we noticed her arm just lying to her side not moving. From then on it happened quite often with her too. And it didn't matter if she was being really active or just sleeping, it happens when it happens. But we just waited it out because, like you, we were told she would out grow it by 5, and she did. It just stopped happening as often and then just stopped. It's scary I know, so if it makes you feel better to take her to a specialist, you should. Do what feels right to you. Your a great mom. Just think that it couldn't hurt to take her. If it will make you feel better, do it. Good luck and you'll get use to it in no time. Soon it will be everyone else freaking out when it happens and you'll look so cool when you can pop it back in!! :) Good luck!
We had the same issue with our daughter, it happened several times. Knock on wood I think the last time was when she was about 4 1/2... she's 10 now. Maybe it gets better with time. Since your daughter has dislocated her elbow several times in one month (and not the same elbow) maybe your pediatrician should consider sending her to a specialist. Better to be safe and have the expert check it out.
Dear M.:
This is really common. It happens in certain families. Our two kids had it until they were about four and then they outgrew it. My sister's kids didn't have it at all. In other families we associate with, I've seen the same pattern.
Also, I was never told to see a specialist about it when we had to have our children's arms relocated.
Best wishes,
M.
