What It Is

Nursemaid's elbow (radial head subluxation) happens when a small ligament around the elbow slips out of its normal position. It's the most common elbow injury in young children — typically between ages 1 and 4 — and while it looks and feels alarming in the moment, it's quick to fix and heals completely.

How It Happens

  • A sudden pull or swing on an outstretched hand — often while catching a stumble or lifting by the hand

  • Swinging a child by the hands or wrists during play

  • Pulling a resistant arm through a sleeve

What You'll Notice

A few telltale signs:

  • Your child suddenly stops using the arm and holds it close to the body, slightly bent

  • No swelling or bruising — a key difference from a fracture

  • Little to no pain when the arm is gently touched away from the elbow

How It's Treated

A doctor or trained provider fixes this with a specific, gentle rotation of the forearm — often felt or heard as a small click — that takes just seconds and doesn't require sedation. Most children are using the arm normally again within minutes. This is always done by a trained provider, never attempted at home, since the wrong movement can cause discomfort without fixing the problem.

Reducing the Risk

  • Lift and swing children by the trunk or under the arms, not by the hands or wrists

  • Be gentle guiding a resistant arm through a sleeve

  • Know it can happen again, especially under age 3 — the same care applies each time

Bottom line: Nursemaid's elbow looks worse than it is. Call your pediatrician or urgent care rather than trying to fix it yourself — a quick visit gets your child back to using that arm within minutes.