Nursemaid’s elbow, or “radial head subluxation” is a common injury in young children in which the radial head slips under the annular ligament resulting in pain and inability to supinate the forearm. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical exam and history, and reduction can typically be easily performed in the clinical setting.[rx][rx][rx][rx]
Nursemaid’s elbow is a common injury of early childhood. It is sometimes referred to as “pulled elbow” because it occurs when a child’s elbow is pulled and partially dislocates. The medical term for the injury is “radial head subluxation.”
Pathophysiology
The injury occurs when a child is swung around by the arms, or lifted by one arm. Even seemingly innocuous acts such as pulling on a child’s arm to keep them from falling can lead to radial head subluxation. The displacement of the annular ligament causes discomfort and pain when the child tries to move the arm.
Less common mechanisms of injury include falling onto the elbow or twisting of the forearm. Radial head subluxation can also occur due to longitudinal traction when a child less than six months of age rolls over in bed onto their arm.
Causes of Nursemaid’s Elbow
The annular ligament encircles the radial head and holds it against the ulna. Axial traction on a pronated forearm and extended elbow causes the annular ligament to slip over the head of the radius and become trapped in the radiohumeral joint between the radial head and capitellum.
Nursemaid’s elbow can happen with just a small amount of force. For example:
- Pulling a child up by the hands – can put stress on the elbows. Never pick up a toddler or infant by the hands or wrists, but lift under the armpits.
- Swinging a toddler – by holding the hands or wrists can put stress on the elbow joint and should be avoided.
- Jerking an arm – when pulling a toddler along or quickly grabbing his or her hand can make the ligament slip. Always be gentle when taking a child by the hand.
- Breaking a fall – by reaching an arm out for protection can overextend the elbow, causing the ligament to slip.
- Rolling over in an awkward way – in a crib, bed, or on the floor can cause nursemaid’s elbow in infants and very young children.
As kids get older, the ligaments tighten. Most won’t get nursemaid’s elbow after they turn 5 years old, though it can happen up to age 6 or 7.
- Catch a child by the hand to stop a fall
- Lift a child up by the hands or wrists
- Pull a child’s arm through a jacket sleeve
- Swing a child by the arms or hands
- Yank on a child’s arm to make him or her walk faster
Sometimes nursemaid’s elbow may happen if:
- An infant rolls over onto the arm
- A child uses the hands to brace himself or herself during a fall
Symptoms of Nursemaid’s Elbow
When the injury occurs:
- The child usually begins crying right away and refuses to use the arm because of elbow pain.
- The child may hold the arm slightly bent (flexed) at the elbow and pressed up against their belly (abdominal) area.
- The child will move the shoulder, but not the elbow. Some children stop crying as the first pain goes away, but continue to refuse to move their elbow.
Diagnosis of Nursemaid’s Elbow
History and Physical
Caregivers may describe that just prior to symptom onset the child’s arm was pulled upwards by the wrist or the child was swung around by the arms. Caregivers may not be aware of the incident that caused the injury and may report no known trauma. The onset of symptoms may also occur after a fall on an outstretched arm.
On physical exam, the child will often be nervous and may be supporting the affected arm in a protective manner with the opposite hand. The affected arm is often held in complete or almost complete extension and pronation. The patient may refuse to move the arm and may become upset when it is examined, but generally, will not have pain unless the arm is manipulated. There may be tenderness at the radial head, and the patient will resist forearm pronation, supination, flexion, and extension. Generally speaking, ecchymosis, erythema, edema, or signs of trauma are absent. Circulation, sensation and motor ability will be intact distal to the elbow, though the child may not be cooperative with the exam.
It is not uncommon for the radial head subluxation to spontaneously reduce before being seen by a physician. In this case, the caregivers will report that the patient was refusing to move the arm and seemed very upset by any attempt of the parent to manipulate or touch the arm. It can be very disconcerting to parents, especially when the child’s symptoms seem to miraculously disappear. In this case providing reassurance to the parents about the probable diagnosis after doing a proper physical exam is all that is required.
The health care provider will examine the child. The child will be unable to rotate the arm at the elbow. The palm will be up, and the child will have trouble bending (flexing) the elbow all the way.
Evaluation
The examination should include a thorough inspection of the affected arm as well as the ipsilateral clavicle. The entire arm should be palpated to assess for tenderness of the bones and joints. The diagnosis of radial head subluxation can typically be made clinically. Imaging should be performed if there is suspicion for fracture, elbow dislocation, or if edema or deformity are present on exam. Imaging is also indicated if the mechanism did not involve the typical axial traction of the arm or nonaccidental trauma is a concern. Radiographs are typically normal in radial head subluxation, but the displacement of the radiocapitellar line may be seen on plain film x-rays.[rx][rx][rx][rx][rx]
Treatment of Nursemaid’s Elbow
Treatment involves closed reduction, and this can be performed in a few seconds without sedation. Even though it is brief, it can be painful as the annular ligament reduces to its proper position. It should be explained to parents that the child will likely be upset, but that once the elbow is properly reduced, the pain should resolve and the child will likely be back to baseline within a few minutes.
In order to minimize trauma and increase comfort for the patient, the caregiver should hold the child in their arms, and the examiner should sit facing the child.
Hyperpronation and supination/flexion are two common techniques preferred for reduction of a subluxed radial head. The hyperpronation technique has a higher reported first attempt success rate than the supination/flexion technique. Studies have also suggested that the hyperpronation technique may be less painful than the supination/flexion technique. If it is unsuccessful, the supination/flexion technique may be attempted.
To perform the hyperpronation method, moderate pressure should be applied to the radial head while the child’s elbow is supported with the same hand. The forearm should be hyperpronated by applying force to the wrist with the opposite hand. A click is usually felt over the radial head which indicates the maneuver was successful.
To perform the supination/flexion method, slight pressure should be applied to the radial head with the physician’s thumb while supporting the elbow with the same hand. The other hand should grasp the patient’s distal forearm. The patient’s forearm should then be supinated and fully flexed with gentle traction applied. A click may be felt or heard if the maneuver is successful.
A successful reduction should result in immediate cessation of pain. Most children will begin to use their arm within 5-10 minutes, and within 30 minutes 90% of children will be asymptomatic. It may take a few minutes for the children to realize that it is no longer painful to move the arm. If the patient does not regain function of the arm, imaging studies to assess for fracture or orthopedic consult may be warranted. If the patient refuses to use the arm after several minutes and imaging are normal, the arm should be placed in a sling, and the patient should be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
If reduction was successful, no splinting or sling is necessary, and the prognosis is excellent. Because of possible recurrence, parents should be instructed to avoid activities that cause axial traction to the arm such as lifting, jerking or swinging the child by the hands, wrists or forearms.
Prevention
It is important for parents to understand that, once a nursemaid’s elbow has occurred, there is a high likelihood of recurrence. For this reason—as well as to prevent an initial occurrence—there are guidelines parents and caregivers can follow that may prevent the injury.
- To safely lift a child, grasp gently under the arms. Do not lift children by holding the hands or arms.
- Do not swing a child by holding the hands or arms.
- Avoid tugging or pulling on a child’s hands or arms.
References