UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Pediatrics

Title: Nursemaid's Elbow

Posted: 7/1/2011 by Rose Chasm, MD (Updated: 4/24/2024)
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radial head subluxation
usually 1-3 years of age
often after sudden longitudinal traction on extended arm with wrist in pronation
tearing of annular ligament attachment to radial neck, with detatched portion trapped between subluxed raidal head and capitellum
children refuse to use affected arm and hold in a flexed pronated position
traditionally, reduce by supination of forearm with elbow in 90degrees of flexion
newer reduction technique, hyperpronation with elbow flexion has better success rateand less pain