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Pulled elbow in children

A common injury in children under 5 years of age is a partial dislocation of the elbow. This is called a pulled elbow or "nursemaid's elbow." A sudden jerk upwards of the arm is the main cause.

This can occur:

• when an adult lifts a small child up by the hand or
• quickly pulls them away from harm by the hand or
• when a child falls while his hand is being held

This happens because children's joints are not fully formed at this age. A child will cry after this type of injury because it hurts. The elbow is kept bent and the child avoids moving it. Swelling at the elbow may be noted.

Medical care is needed for this right away. The healthcare provider may want to get an x-ray to examine the joint. The provider may also want to x-ray the opposite elbow for comparison of both elbows. The injured elbow can then be put back into place without pain to the child. If it has been too long since the injury, a cast may be needed. Most pulled elbows are minor injuries and heal fast with rest for 1 to 2 weeks and careful handling of the child.

After the injury is healed, do not pull on the child's arm. The ligament will still be loose and will be more easily injured again. Children under 5 should not have their hands pulled unless they are in danger.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File BONE3449.RF2 VRS# 7636 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.