Radial Head Subluxation

I didn't get a chance to post Wednesday morning. It was a busy day but things are settled now.

The Prince of Sackville sustained a sport related injury - Radial Head Subluxation.

The common name is Pulled Elbow, Slipped Elbow or Toddler Elbow. It's also called Nursemaid's Elbow. I'm sticking with Radial Head Subluxation.

It's a common injury in kids under 4 when the radius slips out of place where it attaches to the elbow joint. The ligaments around the elbow joint aren't fully formed or very strong. Well, let's just say not strong enough to sustain a sudden forceful pull of the arm in a frantic game of "Ring around the Rosy". Yes, I'm calling the sport in the sport related injury, creative dance.

So my little Prince had an early morning dance and his partner "fell down" pulling Nolan's arm and in the process subluxating the radial head from the elbow joint. That's at least what we think happened. Daycare staff were not entirely sure. They just knew that one minute he was in the corner dancing and the next minute he wasn't his usual self. A morning of monitoring followed by a trip to Children's ER and Nolan found himself face to face with the Doctor.

To treat Radial Head Subluxation the Doctor had to forcefully supinate the elbow with 60-90 degrees of flexation. I wasn't there and my wife didn't explain it that way. I've looked here for my medical jargon. She described it as the Doctor flexing Nolan's arm forcefully until it made a "click" sound. A wail and some brief tears followed but soon after he was good as gold to snap up a grape Popsicle and wave goodbye to the Doctor.

He is now more susceptible to the same injury until sometime after the age of 4 when the ligaments get stronger with his growth pattern. His chances of making a major league baseball roster are still the same today as they were yesterday. Maybe this accident will cause some sort of elbow ligament abnormality that makes his fast ball reach higher speeds than Roger Clemens did during his steroid years. Time will tell.

Or maybe it's time to progress from Ring around the Rosy to something more advanced. Like the Cha Cha or the Car Wash.

I did learn a few things other than pediatric orthopedics. Maybe not so much learning something new but just a refresher of something I've known for the past 2 plus years.

Firstly, I like the fact that the daycare staff know something is wrong with Nolan when "he isn't acting like himself". Maybe that's common but I'd like to think my kid is pretty even-keeled. His behavior isn't erratic or tempermental. Of course he has his moments but he has a true and identifiable behavior pattern and I like that.

To point out my second thing I should provide some background. It's been the second trip to the ER for repairs for Nolan. He cut his lip at daycare in January and required stitches. He took it like a trooper. Both parents were there and we were a little over reactional and under prepared.

This time my wife handled things with only a bit of advice or help from me via phone. She had things totally under control and aced it. I admired her composure. I know she's a great mom and getting better and better at it.

Finally, grape Popsicles are fantastic. I wouldn't pick any other color but I know for sure that I'd be looking for a Labatt Blue over a grape Popsicle if someone had to forcefully supinate my elbow back into place. I just wouldn't be able to get over it that quickly. Kids have great recovery ability and move to the next moment. I want to emulate that ability in all things from subluxation to frustration.

The Prince of Sackville is a sleep fully recovered from his sport related injury and is recharging his batteries for another action packed day of creative dance and grape Popsicles.

Lights out on Sackville...