Red flags & when to go in person for Elbow Pain in Children

Audience: pediatric

Elbow pain in children can arise from many causes, including injury, infection, or inflammation. While telemedicine can help assess mild or unclear symptoms, some signs mean your child needs to be seen in person quickly. These include severe pain, swelling, inability to move the elbow, or fever with redness. Telemedicine visits can guide you on initial care, help decide if home treatment is safe, and advise when urgent care is needed. It is important to watch for warning signs and seek in-person evaluation if symptoms worsen or do not improve. This guide explains when telemedicine is suitable for elbow pain in children and when to seek immediate or routine in-person care to ensure your child's safety and recovery.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe, unrelenting elbow pain not eased by pain medication or rest — seek urgent in-person evaluation.
• Swelling, redness, warmth around the elbow with fever — possible infection needing immediate care.
• Inability to move the elbow or arm, or visible deformity after trauma — requires emergency medical attention.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of mild elbow pain without severe symptoms.
• Guidance on home care such as rest, ice, and pain relief.
• Advice on when to seek in-person or emergency care.
• Monitoring symptom progression and answering caregiver questions.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Diagnosing fractures or serious injuries requiring imaging.
• Treating infections that may need antibiotics or drainage.
• Performing physical examinations needing hands-on assessment.
• Providing emergency interventions for severe trauma or deformity.

Common Causes of Elbow Pain in Children

Children may experience elbow pain from sprains, fractures, overuse injuries, or infections. Growth-related conditions like "little league elbow" or inflammation of tendons and joints are also common. Sometimes pain is due to referred pain from the shoulder or wrist. Understanding the cause often requires a physical exam and sometimes imaging, which may be done in person.

When Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine is useful for initial evaluation of mild elbow pain without severe symptoms. A healthcare provider can ask about the injury, observe the elbow via video, and recommend home care such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief. They can also advise on safe activities and when to watch for worsening signs.

Red Flags That Need In-Person Care

Certain signs mean your child should be seen by a healthcare provider in person promptly:

These may indicate fractures, infections, or serious joint problems requiring urgent treatment.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before the tele-visit, gather information to help the provider:

After the Telemedicine Visit

Follow the provider's instructions carefully. This may include:

Keep track of your child's progress and ask for help if you are unsure about any changes.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note the time and cause of elbow pain onset.
• Observe and note any swelling, redness, or bruising.
• Check if the child can move the elbow and fingers.
• Have a list of current medications and allergies ready.
• Prepare to show the elbow clearly on camera from multiple angles.
• Be ready to describe any fever or other symptoms present.

After your tele-visit

• Follow provider instructions on rest, ice, and pain relief.
• Monitor for any worsening symptoms or new red flags.
• Schedule in-person follow-up if recommended.
• Seek emergency care immediately if red flags appear.
• Keep a symptom diary to share with healthcare providers if needed.

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose the cause of my child's elbow pain?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide initial care but often cannot definitively diagnose causes like fractures or infections without a physical exam and imaging. In-person evaluation may be needed.

When should I take my child to the emergency room for elbow pain?

If your child has severe pain, cannot move the elbow or arm, has visible deformity, or shows signs of infection like swelling, redness, warmth, and fever, seek emergency care promptly.

What home treatments can I safely use for my child's elbow pain?

Resting the arm, applying ice packs for 15-20 minutes several times a day, and using age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relievers can often help mild elbow pain. Always follow dosing instructions and consult a healthcare provider.

How can I prepare for a telemedicine visit about elbow pain?

Gather information about when and how the pain started, observe and note symptoms like swelling or movement limitations, have your child's medication list ready, and be prepared to show the elbow clearly on camera.

What if my child's symptoms do not improve after a telemedicine visit?

If symptoms persist, worsen, or new concerning signs develop, arrange for an in-person evaluation to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sources

1. Elbow Pain in Children — MedlinePlus | U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Pediatric Elbow Injuries — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. When to Seek Emergency Care for Children — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Telemedicine: What You Need to Know — Mayo Clinic.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child's symptoms are severe, worsening, or you have any concerns, seek prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional in person.