Nursemaid's elbow, also known as radial head subluxation, is a common childhood injury that occurs when the radius bone in the forearm partially slips out of its normal position at the elbow joint. This injury most often affects young children, typically between the ages of one and five, and can occur when a child's arm is suddenly pulled, lifted, or swung by the hand or wrist. Dr. Salil Gupta, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity care, providing prompt diagnosis and treatment for nursemaid's elbow and other pediatric upper extremity injuries.
Dislocation of the radius bone present in the elbow is called nursemaid's elbow. This condition is very common among children below 5 years of age as their bones and muscles are still in the developing stage. This condition usually occurs when a child is pulled up too hard by the arm but can also occur due to a fall or swinging your child from the arms.
What are the symptoms of nursemaid's elbow?
Some of the symptoms associated with nursemaid's elbow are:
- Pain in the elbow
- Your child may hold the elbow close to the abdominal area
- Movement of your child's elbow is reduced
What are the treatment options?
Initial treatment includes applying ice to the injury and preventing movement of the affected arm. You should see a doctor right away to diagnose and treat the child. Nursemaid's elbow is diagnosed by a physical examination. Your doctor will examine if your child is able to move and bend the elbow.
Treatment involves fixing the dislocation by gently rotating your child's forearms in such a way that the palm faces upwards. Do not attempt this on your own as you could injure the child further. Make sure to seek medical treatment for proper care.
