Radial head subluxation: Difference between revisions
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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Gray331.png|thumb|Anterior capsule of elbow-joint. Nursemaid's elbow involves the head of radius slipping out from the anular ligament of radius.]]
[[File:Elbow subluxation.png|thumb|Medical illustration showing the displaced angular ligament with elbow subluxation.]]
[[File:Elbow subluxation mechanisms.png|thumb|Common radial head subluxation mechanisms of injury.]]
*Also known as "Nursemaid's elbow" an "pulled elbow"
*Radial head subluxation due to longitudinal traction on arm
*Radial head subluxation due to longitudinal traction on arm
**Annular ligament of radius displaces into radiocapitellar articulation
**Annular ligament of radius displaces into radiocapitellar articulation
*Age 1y-5y (peak 2y-3y)
**After this point, the change in shape of the radial head with growth protects against subluxation


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Sudden onset
===History===
*Age 1y-5y (peak 2y-3y)
*Typical history includes sudden longitudinal traction on the arm
*Typical history: Sudden pull on extended arm. Swinging the child by adult while playing.
**Swinging child by arms by playing
*Absence of edema, focal tenderness, or bruising
**Pulling child back from walking into traffic
**Catching child who is falling
*Younger children may sustain the injury by less classic mechanisms
*Sudden onset of pain
 
===Physical===
*Refusal to use the affected arm
*Arm held in extension
*Refusal to supinate
*''Non''-tender to palpation
*Limited edema
*No bruising


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*If classic history/physical
*Clinical diagnosis
**→ proceed directly to reduction maneuver without imaging
**Patients with classic story (toddler 1-3 years old, low energy mechanism) and findings (no bruising/swelling, no point tenderness, arm held adducted/pronated) do not require imaging before reduction<ref>Genadry KC, Monuteaux MC, Neuman MI, Lipsett SC. Management and Outcomes of Children With Nursemaid's Elbow. Ann Emerg Med. 2021 Feb;77(2):154-162. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.09.002. Epub 2020 Oct 27. PMID: 33127100.</ref>
*If unclear or atypical history/physical
**Any child with an unclear story or unsuccessful reduction should undergo imaging to rule other pathology
**→ consider x-ray first and/or alternative diagnosis
*Assess neurovascular status prior to (and following) reduction
**typically will not present with warmth, swelling, tenderness to direct palpation, or bruising


==Management==
==Management==
[[File:Fixing nursemaid elbow hariadhi.png|thumb|Hyperpronation (A) and supination (B) techniques. These techniques may also be combined in practice.]]
===Reduction===
===Reduction===
''Hyperpronation has greater first try success rate (94% vs 69%), but both have similar overall reduction rate;<ref>Pronation versus supination maneuvers for the reduction of 'pulled elbow': a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Emerg Med. 2009 Jun;16(3):135-8. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32831d796a.</ref> consider doing both techniques at once in quick succession''
''Hyperpronation has greater first attempt success (94% vs 69%), but both have similar overall reduction rate;<ref>Pronation versus supination maneuvers for the reduction of 'pulled elbow': a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Emerg Med. 2009 Jun;16(3):135-8. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32831d796a.</ref> consider doing both techniques at once in quick succession''
*Hyperpronation Technique
*Hyperpronation Technique
**Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
**Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
***Place thumb over radial head to facilitate reduction and provide tactile feedback
**With other hand hyperpronate patient's wrist
**With other hand hyperpronate patient's wrist
*Supination Technique
*Supination Technique
**Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
**Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
**With other hand supinate patient's wrist and flex elbow
***Place thumb over radial head to facilitate reduction and provide tactile feedback
**With other hand supinate patient's wrist and fully flex elbow


===Post-Reduction===
===Post-Reduction===
*If successful patient will have FROM within 30min
*If successful, patient will have return of full range of motion within 30min
**Usually child with begin to spontaneously use the affected arm
**If child is not using affected arm, may try offering a popsicle or toy and encouraging to reach with affected arm
*If unsuccessful after multiple attempts, obtain x-ray and consider alternative diagnoses (e.g. [[Salter-Harris fracture]])
*If unsuccessful after multiple attempts, obtain x-ray and consider alternative diagnoses (e.g. [[Salter-Harris fracture]])


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*If reduced and moving arm, outpatient
*Discharge home after successful reduction
**Sling and/or other immobilization are contra-indicated
*No immobilization
*Caution caregivers to avoid longitudinal traction on arm
*Advise caregivers that injury is frequently recurrent until radial head maturity


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Elbow diagnoses]]
*[[Elbow diagnoses]]
==External Links==
*[https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/how-to-reduce-dislocations-and-subluxations/how-to-reduce-a-radial-head-subluxation-nursemaids-elbow?query=nursemaid%20elbow| Merk Manual: How To Reduce a Radial Head Subluxation (Nursemaid's Elbow)]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Orthopedics]]
[[Category:Orthopedics]]

Latest revision as of 20:20, 5 March 2025

Background

Anterior capsule of elbow-joint. Nursemaid's elbow involves the head of radius slipping out from the anular ligament of radius.
Medical illustration showing the displaced angular ligament with elbow subluxation.
Common radial head subluxation mechanisms of injury.
  • Also known as "Nursemaid's elbow" an "pulled elbow"
  • Radial head subluxation due to longitudinal traction on arm
    • Annular ligament of radius displaces into radiocapitellar articulation
  • Age 1y-5y (peak 2y-3y)
    • After this point, the change in shape of the radial head with growth protects against subluxation

Clinical Features

History

  • Typical history includes sudden longitudinal traction on the arm
    • Swinging child by arms by playing
    • Pulling child back from walking into traffic
    • Catching child who is falling
  • Younger children may sustain the injury by less classic mechanisms
  • Sudden onset of pain

Physical

  • Refusal to use the affected arm
  • Arm held in extension
  • Refusal to supinate
  • Non-tender to palpation
  • Limited edema
  • No bruising

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

Radiograph-Negative

Pediatric

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis
    • Patients with classic story (toddler 1-3 years old, low energy mechanism) and findings (no bruising/swelling, no point tenderness, arm held adducted/pronated) do not require imaging before reduction[1]
    • Any child with an unclear story or unsuccessful reduction should undergo imaging to rule other pathology
  • Assess neurovascular status prior to (and following) reduction

Management

Hyperpronation (A) and supination (B) techniques. These techniques may also be combined in practice.

Reduction

Hyperpronation has greater first attempt success (94% vs 69%), but both have similar overall reduction rate;[2] consider doing both techniques at once in quick succession

  • Hyperpronation Technique
    • Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
      • Place thumb over radial head to facilitate reduction and provide tactile feedback
    • With other hand hyperpronate patient's wrist
  • Supination Technique
    • Hold patient's elbow at 90 degrees with one hand
      • Place thumb over radial head to facilitate reduction and provide tactile feedback
    • With other hand supinate patient's wrist and fully flex elbow

Post-Reduction

  • If successful, patient will have return of full range of motion within 30min
    • Usually child with begin to spontaneously use the affected arm
    • If child is not using affected arm, may try offering a popsicle or toy and encouraging to reach with affected arm
  • If unsuccessful after multiple attempts, obtain x-ray and consider alternative diagnoses (e.g. Salter-Harris fracture)

Disposition

  • Discharge home after successful reduction
  • No immobilization
  • Caution caregivers to avoid longitudinal traction on arm
  • Advise caregivers that injury is frequently recurrent until radial head maturity

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ Genadry KC, Monuteaux MC, Neuman MI, Lipsett SC. Management and Outcomes of Children With Nursemaid's Elbow. Ann Emerg Med. 2021 Feb;77(2):154-162. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.09.002. Epub 2020 Oct 27. PMID: 33127100.
  2. ↑ Pronation versus supination maneuvers for the reduction of 'pulled elbow': a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Emerg Med. 2009 Jun;16(3):135-8. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32831d796a.
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