Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow Quiz

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Reviewed By:

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)

Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

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Content updated on Jan 19, 2024

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What is Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow?

A nursemaid’s elbow, or “pulled elbow,” occurs when the ligament that holds the radius in place at the elbow joint slips and the end of the radius shifts out of position. As a result, the elbow becomes partially dislocated. It is most common in toddlers and preschoolers between 2 to 5 years old, when the ligaments are still immature. It is rare in children older than 6 years whose bones are typically stronger and more mature and is temporary and does not cause permanent damage. Symptoms may include immediate pain in the injured arm and elbow, and sometimes pain in the wrist or shoulder, refusal or inability to move the injured arm, holding the arm still and straight at their side, possibly with the elbow slightly bent and the hand turned toward the body.

Typical Symptoms of Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow

  • Child started crying after elbow was pulled

  • No effort to move the elbow, elbow hangs loosely and cannot be bent

  • Elbow pain

  • Arm pain

  • Joint pain

  • Difficulty moving the joint(s)

  • No difference in left and right upper limb diameters

Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:

  • Did your child cry after their elbow was pulled?

  • Is your elbow painful and difficult to bend?

  • Do you have pain in your elbow?

  • Are your arms painful?

  • Do you have joint pain?

Treatmentof Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow

The doctor will use a method to put the elbow joint back in place - called relocation. In some cases, painkillers or medicine to calm the child may be given.

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View the symptoms of Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow

Diseases related to Elbow Dislocation / Nursemaid's Elbow

References

  • Nursemaid's Elbow - Boston Children's Hospital

    https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/nursemaids-elbow#:~:text=What%20is%20nursemaid's%20elbow%3F,radius%20shifts%20out%20of%20position

User Testimonials

Reviewed By:

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)

Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

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