Going home after your visit
Pulled elbow — advice for parents and carers
What to expect after your child's pulled elbow, and how to stop it happening again.
Your child had a "pulled elbow" — a common and harmless slip of a ligament in the elbow of young children. It has been gently put back, and they should soon be using the arm normally again.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to be checked if any of these happen
These can mean something more than a pulled elbow and need looking at.
- They are still not using the arm after a few hours
- The arm is swollen or bruised
- The arm looks bent or out of shape
- They are in a lot of pain
- They have a high temperature (fever)
- You are worried it is something else
CALL 999 Call 999 if your child is very unwell, or you cannot get them to hospital.
What to expect
- They may be a little sore at first.
- Most children start using the arm normally within about 30 minutes to an hour.
- You can offer paracetamol if they need it, following the instructions on the packet.
- Comfort and reassure them — they will soon settle.
Stopping it happening again
- It happens when a young child's arm is pulled, swung or lifted by the hand or wrist.
- Lift them from under the arms instead.
- Tell anyone who looks after your child to do the same.
- It can keep happening until around the age of 5, then becomes much less likely.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above