Your growing child is bound to experience aches and pains as she matures and develops. The rapid growth of muscles, tissues and bones can create benign, short-lived discomfort at times. Elbow pain is not uncommon in children, but due to the location of the joint, tends to hurt most often in response to a known injury. Call your child's doctor if you are concerned about elbow pain.
Nursemaid's Elbow
Nursemaid's elbow is a condition that primarily affects preschool-aged children. Also called an elbow subluxation, nursemaid's elbow is a partial dislocation of the joint that causes pain in the elbow and forearm, as well as a possible reluctance to use the affected limb. The condition is not outwardly apparent, as the subluxation does not swell. Nursemaid's elbow is the result of the relative looseness of a young child's ligaments; the radial head of the elbow can be pulled out of the socket more easily than that of an older child or adult. Prevent the condition by refraining from pulling your child's arm when it is in a straight position; don't swing or dangle him by the hand or arm. Reduction, the process of "popping" the joint back into place, is the treatment method and is performed manually by a doctor.
Fractures
Rapid falls on hard surfaces and impacts from car accidents are some ways in which your child could fracture her elbow. The pain of an elbow fracture is characterized by swelling, bruising or tenderness of the skin, severe pain in the joint and forearm and possible limited use of the arm due to the injury. Noninvasive treatment for this form of elbow pain includes casting or splinting the elbow and arm for approximately a month. Surgery is required for cases in which any of the arm bones --- the humerus, radius and ulna -- have become displaced.
Inflammation
Inflammation of the growth plate and tendons around the elbow can create elbow pain in children. Growth plates are areas of tissue at the ends of bones that determine the growth patterns of your child's bones. Kids who are active and participate in sports are more likely than their more sedentary peers to develop inflammation-based elbow pain. "Little League elbow" is the nickname given to medial epicondylar apophysitis, the inflammation of the growth plate in the elbow. Overuse injuries, such as those caused by the motion used to pitch a baseball, are a factor in elbow pain of this kind. Rest, icing and pain medications are used to manage symptoms.
Considerations
Symptoms in other areas of your child's arm may also indicate an elbow injury. Pain, tingling or numbness in the hand or fingers are often indicators of nerve injury around the elbow. Your child's hand could look dark in color if an injury of the elbow or forearm interferes with circulation to the hand. Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about any aspect of your child's health.
