24 hours ago, my heart hurt. My little baby, Lindy, was hurting, and not just a little bit. Yesterday at about 4:30, Lindy fell down hard… (She said she landed in a “seal stand”, two hands out.) From that point forward, Lindy would not move her arm at all. Any movement, initiated by her or us, resulted in screams.
We built a little sling for Lindy, and tried to help her through the night. Truthfully, she did great with a combination of Aspen’s beanbag chair and some Motrin. She slept in her own bed, woke up about four times, and came down to get me this morning on her own. I was proud of her.
This morning, we headed straight to the pediatrician (with whom we had spoken last night… She wanted us not to go the ER, simply to avoid whatever illnesses we might pick up!). Dr. Rauth sent us along to Radiology at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
To make a long story short (and skip over the really painful parts), Lindy did not break her arm. Oh, we thought she did. Jenn was certain of it. But we got the best piece of news we could have. Lindy had a “nursemaid’s elbow“. The orthopedic doctor supinated (or whatever it is they do) and Lindy screamed! But less than 15 minutes later, Lindy was fully recovered. Already today, Lindy did the monkey bars and is back doing her endless “carp wheels”! We simply can’t be more excited. Really.
(For those of you who would ever have occasion to, this does mean that Lindy is more likely to have this happen in the future. Pulling on her right arm is not a good idea. Certainly don’t swing her by her hands or pick her up by her hands. Use her armpits!)
I’m so glad to hear that Lindy’s arm wasn’t broken. Her splint rocks, by the way! Both Elena and Eli have had a nursemaid’s elbow occurrence when they were toddlers. It is scary, and you hate to see them in so much pain. I’m happy to report that both of them have only had it happen once. We try to be careful as well, but I thought it might be helpful to know that their joints aren’t totally loosey-goosey from this point forward.
Truth be told… we’ve already tested the elbow! I was holding Lindy’s hand as we walked across the street with our celebratory ice cream and she tripped on the curb. Not wanting to simply let her fall face first on the concrete, I held on to her recently repaired arm! (She held on to the ice cream.) She stood up, I asked if her arm was OK, and it was, thankfully. And so was the ice cream.
Thanks for the compliments on the sling. Everyone at the hospital really liked it too… I kept getting questions about it!
Tim, we too have had a visit to the pediatrician with a diagnosis of nurse maid’s elbow as well! And, like your previous poster, Jack only experienced it once. Good thing seems to be that it only hurts while it is misaligned. Glad to hear this was a relatively mild injury and that she’s on the mend! And, adorable picture!
What a sweet girl and sweet photo. I am glad the injury, albeit painful, was brief and quickly remedied…though it probably didn’t seem quick. Love the sling. xoxoxoxxox from VA!