Young children are often active and clumsy, a pairing that may naturally lead to various mild injuries. If your child falls or jerks his arm too quickly, it can cause an overstretching of the ligaments surrounding the elbow, resulting in a sprain. Elbow sprains can be painful and heal best with plenty of rest and care. If your child has suffered a sprained elbow, comfort him by following your doctor's orders and helping to relieve his pain throughout the healing process.
Step 1
Allow your child to rest the elbow as much as possible. Prop the elbow up on pillows to help cushion it and relieve swelling, which can cause pain. Propping the elbow up on a pillow can also remind your child that she shouldn't be moving her elbow around. Make her comfortable with books, movies, snacks and other items to keep her busy and entertained.
Step 2
Offer oral pain medication with your doctor's guidance. Children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen will help to reduce swelling and relieve mild to moderate pain. Ensure that you follow the dosing instructions found on the packaging, paying special attention to your child's weight and age as it pertains to the amount of medication she can take at one time. If over-the-counter medication doesn't seem to be helping, contact your doctor for prescription options.
Step 3
Apply an ice pack for the first 48 hours following the injury. Because ice packs can be uncomfortable for children, place the ice in a plastic bag, then wrap the bag in a towel to make a cold pack. This way the ice doesn't touch your child's skin but he'll still get the benefits for swelling control and pain numbing at the elbow. Or choose a kid-friendly ice pack decorated with a favorite character.
Step 4
Swap the ice pack for a heating pad once the swelling has subsided and 48 hours has passed. Heat can soothe the aches that your child may experience after a sprain. Because electric heating pads are generally not recommended for children, choose a hot water bottle or microwave-heated rice-filled sock to help comfort your child in the safest manner possible.
Step 5
Wrap the elbow only if your child's doctor has recommended you do so. Elastic bandages wrapped around the elbow can help control swelling and discourage excessive movement, but your doctor may suggest you do without a bandage if your child's sprain is mild. When wrapping the elbow, ensure that you wrap snugly, but not so tight that you decrease overall circulation.
Step 6
Spend time with your child while she's resting to help her feel less isolated. Reading books is an ideal way to spend an afternoon with your child whose activities are limited. Assure your child that the pain from most sprains subsides after one to two weeks. If your child is still complaining about pain past two weeks, contact your pediatrician for another consultation.
Things You'll Need
- Pain relievers
- Ice pack
- Heating pad
- Elastic bandage
