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Step 1
Notice a child not using their arm. The child may stop using the arm because it is too painful. Children may hold the arm in a flexed position. If a child is not using their arm, it could be because of the dislocation or additional problems, including problems with the muscle in this area because of the injury.
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Step 2
Check out the joint itself to notice any problems there. The arm may have a joint that is uneven or does not look right. Sometimes children do not complain of pain, especially if they are too young to understand what has happened.
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Step 3
Realize that the child can still use their arm. Sometimes, no outward symptoms appear. There may be minimal swelling of the arm or joint. The child may be able to use their arm in all ways except for full extension. It is essential to still seek a doctor's help even when there is minimal signs of trauma because the joint can remain dislodged and the child could have problems using the arm throughout their life if the condition is left untreated.
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Step 4
Seek a doctor's help. Diagnosis of the nursemaid's elbow may not happen unless a doctor requests x-rays on the child's arm. Doctors will ask how the condition happened--there are many reasons including falls and even other children injuring the child. Understanding what movement caused the injury is helpful in diagnosing the injury.
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Step 5
Find the cause of the nursemaid's elbow. In some situations, diagnosis of this dislocation may lead to questions of child abuse, especially if an adult is the cause of the condition.
