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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome
Published on: May 26, 2023
Role of the supinator muscle in the pathophysiological mechanism of a pulled elbow
1Kimura Children and Family Clinic, Izumo, Japan.
Abstract:
A pulled elbow is a common childhood orthopaedic injury that is usually caused by longitudinal traction on the hand. The pathophysiological mechanism of a pulled elbow involves interposition of the annular ligament into the radiohumeral joint. Recent ultrasonographic studies have shown that both the supinator muscle and annular ligament were trapped into the radiohumeral joint. This paper discusses why pulled elbows can occur during pronation and how a pulled elbow can be reduced either by hyperpronation or supination followed by elbow flexion based on the function of the supinator muscle.
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