Nursemaid’s elbow
Alternative Names
Radial head dislocation; Pulled elbow; Dislocated elbow - children; Elbow - nursemaid's; Elbow - pulled; Elbow subluxation; Dislocation - elbow - partial; Dislocation - radial head
Symptoms
- Immediate crying
- Complaints of elbow pain
- Refusing to use the arm that is injured
- Holding elbow slightly bent at the elbow
- Holding the lower part of the arm against the belly area (abdomen)
- Moving arm at shoulder but not elbow
If you think your child has nursemaid's elbow:
- DO NOT move the child without first splinting the arm.
- DO NOT try to straighten the arm or change its position.
Apply an ice pack to the elbow. Splint the injured arm in the position in which you found it. Keep the area both above and below the injured elbow from moving, including the shoulder and the wrist, if possible.
Take the child to the doctor's office or emergency room.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will examine the child.
The child will be unable to rotate the arm at the elbow so that the palm is up and will have trouble bending (flexing) the elbow all the way.
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