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Title: Nursemaid's Elbow

Category: Pediatrics

Posted: 7/1/2011 by Rose Chasm, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

  • 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

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