What a freakin' night...
I am now currently separated from DH, living at my parents' house, so it's been a rough week, just getting adjusted. Tonight, my parents and I took M to a festival and M, not feeling well, was throwing tantrums and running around. He kept trying to run right out in the street and knew it was bad but continued to do it anyways. I had a tight grip on his left hand, and he tried to twist away from me to dart into the street again, and when he twisted, he started screaming and holding his elbow. He couldn't raise his left arm at all, and it just kind of hung limp. He kept pointing and saying, "boo boo" and winced when we touched it, so off to the ER we went.
He apparently had something called a "nursemaid's elbow" - basically dislocation of the elbow joint. Ouch! We waited in the ER for almost 3 hours, but when the doctor came in, she pushed it back into place in two seconds, Miles screamed bloody murder, then was perfectly fine, using his arm and elbow joint like nothing happened!
PSA: I felt sick to my stomach that I contributed to this injury, but apparently this happens ALL the time. They saw two other toddlers in the ER for the same thing today. As flexible as our LOs are, they are at risk for this because they are constantly twisting and turning when being directed by parents with a grip on their arms or hands. Just a caution!
Re: Home from the ER...
How scary! Thanks for the heads up. So glad he is better
Sorry about the separation. We're here if you need to vent/talk!
Hey, Nicole! I'm sorry that things are rough right now, I know that it must be hard.
Poor Miles! I know you feel bad about it, but if you hadn't been holding his hand and he darted out in the street he could have been hurt MUCH worse. Jackson has a cousin with nursemaid's elbow and hers pops out all the time. Have the pedi show you how to put it back into place, I think it's a pretty easy thing to do.
I have worried about that happening. Glad M is ok and hope you are, too.
Eta: this is my night for typos...who am I kidding...it's always my night for typos. I blame it on the iPad.
Sorry you're having a rough time. Don't feel bad about the elbow, you were just trying to protect LO. These toddler's are strong and squirmy.
FYI, be extra careful because now that it's happened once, that elbow will be more prone to dislocating again.
OMG! So sorry about everything going on! That must have been scary to be in the er with Miles.
If you need to talk about anything, I'm here for you. Just message or call
For the injury - don't beat yourself up at all, a dislocated elbow is so much better than what might have happened if M got into the street. Nursemaid's elbow happens all the freakin time. I'm actually pretty jealous of my friend, her husband is a PA so he can just pop their kids' joints back together without having the ER trip.
I'm sorry this week has been so rough with all the adjustments. I hope things settle into a routine for you soon. Big hugs Nicole!!!
BFP #2 5/27/12. EDD 2/1/13. m/c and D&C 6/21/12.
Oh no! I'm glad Miles is alright now but what a scare. Thanks for the PSA too because I can totally see this happening to us. C is not a good hand-holder and definitely tries to dart around too.
I'm sorry the separation has come. I know it's been a long time coming but that still doesn't make it any easier. Hugs and we're here for you.
Aww, sounds like a rough night for both of you!
I would have never known about nursemaid's elbow if it weren't for my nest board - you're right, it is very common! That's why it's bad to pick up your kids by both hands & swing them, too - it can happen to their elbows & their shoulders.
I always have to remind myself & MH not to pull DS by the arm, but grab him around the waist instead, but it's tough when they're holding your hand & wriggling away from you!
I hope you're both feeling better today!
I'm so sorry that happened! and hopefully things start to get better on all fronts.
I'm worried about something like that happening to Hazel too because she's so squirmy. Sometimes I have to hold her hand when she doesn't want to because I have to hold something and I can't carry her.