Falls to the ground are a common occurrence during childhood, and in most cases, your kid will get right back up and continue playing as though nothing happened. Sometimes, though, your child might complain about elbow pain that seems to stem from the fall, or you might notice behavior that indicates she is favoring one arm over the other. Knowing the possible causes of elbow pain after a fall can help you decide on the best course of action.
Nursemaid's Elbow
A condition called nursemaid's elbow is a common cause of elbow pain in young children. It develops when someone tugs on the child's arm and the head of the radius bone in the arm becomes dislocated slightly at the elbow. The ligament can slip into the suddenly open space, preventing the bone from slipping back into place naturally. If your child tried to grab onto something as she fell, she could have triggered her own nursemaid's elbow. A doctor can pop the joint back into place if this has happened and there should be no further complications.
Elbow Fracture
A fall sometimes can cause a break or fracture in one or more of the three bones that meet at the elbow. In this case, the area around the elbow usually swells or becomes red. It also becomes painful to touch or move, sometimes unbearably so. Elbow fractures often occur if the child tries to reach out an arm to stop the fall, or if he lands directly on the elbow. If your child has a broken or fractured bone, he might need to wear a splint or cast as it heals, which can take up to six weeks, depending on the severity of the break.
Funny Bone
In some cases, elbow pain is nothing more than a strike to the funny bone. The funny bone isn't actually a bone, and it certainly isn't funny when your child gets hit there. This sudden sharp pain is due to a bump that hits the ulnar nerve, which lies along the inside of the elbow. Pain caused by a bump to the funny bone doesn't last long, so if your child doesn't feel better after a few minutes, this is probably not the culprit.
What to Do
If your child is complaining about elbow pain after a fall, or if it seems like he is avoiding using one arm and you suspect an injury, take him to the emergency room or a doctor's office as soon as possible. Elbow pain that lasts more than a few minutes is not likely to go away on its own and needs professional care.
