Nursemaid's elbow: Radial head subluxation injuries in children

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Radial head subluxation, commonly known as nursemaid's elbow, is a frequent injury in children.
• It typically results from a longitudinal traction injury to the affected arm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the etiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies for radial head subluxation in pediatric patients.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of nursemaid's elbow management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of causes, clinical diagnosis, imaging modalities, and manipulative reduction techniques.
• Synthesis of current evidence regarding the evaluation and management of radial head subluxation.

Main Results:

• Radial head subluxation is primarily a clinical diagnosis, often confirmed by imaging post-reduction.
• Various manipulative techniques exist for reduction, with selection often based on clinician preference.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of nursemaid's elbow involves accurate clinical assessment and appropriate reduction techniques.
• Understanding the causes and diagnostic options is crucial for successful treatment of radial head subluxation.