Elbow death is a very common injury in children, which occurs when the arms are outstretched or when the child is suspended by one arm, for example.
Elbow lauxing can also occur in athletes during training or competition, and elbow placement in its anatomical position should be performed by a health professional, as there may be ligament rupture or nerve or vascular changes that can hinder rehabilitation.
Steps your health care provider can take to reduce elbow laxity include:
The elbow will be well positioned when a small creak is heard and it is possible to move the arm normally.
In any case, when you are unsure of the type of injury, the safest way is to immediately take the victim to emergencies, as it is necessary to feel the ends of the arm and elbow bones, as well as tests that evaluate the ligaments, the test that evaluates neurological function and an x-ray examination, which can show the angle and severity of the dislocation.
In the most severe cases, surgery may be indicated to properly reposition the bones of the forearm, ulna and radius, especially when it is not possible to properly position this joint thanks to the aforementioned reduction, when there is a bone fracture, high instability of the joint or injury of the nerve or blood vessels of the arm. Surgery may be performed as soon as possible and may be performed under local anesthesia.
In the simplest cases, when it is possible to perform the reduction with the above steps, without surgery, recovery is rapid and the site can be a little painful. To relieve this discomfort, you can place a bag of frozen gel or ice. The ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes, without direct contact with the skin, and for this you can put a thin cloth or paper towel to protect the skin. This treatment can be done 2 to 3 times a day.
An elbow immobilization may be necessary in case of full state, which is usually treated with surgery. Immobilization can last 20 to 40 days, and physiotherapy treatment is necessary to normalize elbow movement. The duration of physiotherapy treatment depends on the severity of the injury and age, as children recover more quickly, while in adults it may be necessary to invest in a few months of physiotherapy.
Physical therapy may be indicated to control inflammation, reduce swelling, facilitate healing, prevent contractures, maintain range of motion, and resume normal activities without pain or movement limitation.
In the first days after dislocation, it is recommended to perform manual techniques to increase the amplitude of the joint, and isometric exercises with the elbow bent, extended and exercises to open and close the hands, in order to increase muscle strength. TENS, hydromassage, ultrasound, infrared or laser devices can be used as resources, depending on the evaluation performed by the physiotherapist.
After a few days, in the next phase of treatment, the physical therapist can reevaluate motor skills, angles and strength, and advance treatment with other general arm and hand stretching exercises, and exercises such as wristbands, biceps and can. stick, bottles and back, for example. Shoulder exercises and postural rehabilitation are also recommended as it is common for one shoulder to be higher than the other, due to a protective mechanism of the affected arm.
In the final phase of the treatment, referring to the athlete, it is still necessary to carry out a training with exercises that can facilitate the realization of their training, depending on the needs of each sport.