Nursemaid’s elbow

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Nursemaid's elbow is a partial dislocation of the elbow joint that makes movement of the arm difficult and painful.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Nursemaid's elbow is a common condition in young children and generally affects children under five. It occurs when a child is pulled up too hard by the hand or wrist.

Nursemaid's elbow is often seen after a person lifts a child by one arm up a curb or high step. The child generally begins to cry immediately and refuses to use the arm. The child holds the arm in a slightly flexed position (slightly bent at the elbow) against the abdomen. The child will move the shoulder, but not the elbow.

Often, the child will stop crying as the immediate pain subsides, but will continue to refuse to move the elbow.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Immediate crying and indicating elbow pain
• Refusing to use the affected arm
• Holding elbow slightly flexed
• Holding the forearm against the abdomen
• Moving arm at shoulder but not elbow

Signs and tests    Return to top

The child will be unable to rotate the arm at the elbow so that the palm is up, or to bend (flex) the elbow fully.

Treatment    Return to top

The doctor will reduce the dislocation by rotating the forearm so that the palm is up and gently flexing the elbow all the way. DO NOT try to do this yourself as you can do more harm than good. See your health care provider for assistance.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

If nursemaid's elbow remains untreated, it may result in permanent inability to fully move the elbow. With treatment, there is usually no permanent damage.

Complications    Return to top

A complication of nursemaid's elbow may be permanent limitation of motion.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call your provider if you suspect your child has a dislocated elbow or refuses to use an arm.

Prevention    Return to top

Avoid lifting a child by one arm only, either from the wrist or hand. Lift from under the arms, from the upper arm, or from both arms.