My 2-year-old won't use her arm after I pulled her away from the street. Is her arm broken?

This is likely nursemaid's elbow (radial head subluxation), not a broken bone. The classic story is sudden pulling on a young child's arm followed by immediate refusal to use it - there's usually no swelling, bruising, or visible deformity. See your doctor or urgent care today for a simple reduction maneuver that provides instant relief in 90-95% of cases. If there is visible swelling, deformity, or severe pain, go to emergency department to rule out a fracture.

This is the third time my daughter has had nursemaid's elbow. Is something wrong with her elbow?

No - recurrence is common (20-30% of children have repeat episodes) because young children's ligaments are naturally loose. The good news is kids outgrow this problem by age 5-6 years as ligaments tighten. While waiting to outgrow it, avoid pulling on arms and lift under armpits instead. Recurrent nursemaid's elbow doesn't cause long-term damage or arthritis.

Medical disclaimer

This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Please ask a qualified health professional about symptoms, treatment decisions, or concerns about your own condition.

Emergency? If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or you think it may be an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.

Patient guide

Bones & Joints

Radial Head Dislocations (Elbow Dislocation in Children)

Radial head dislocations occur when the radial bone at the elbow slips out of position, most commonly seen as 'nursemaid's elbow' in young children (ages 1-4) when the arm is pulled suddenly, causing immediate pain and refusal to use the arm - treatment involves a quick reduction maneuver that provides instant relief in 90-95% of cases, though some dislocations are associated with forearm fractures (Monteggia injury) requiring surgery.

Last reviewed: January 2026
Medical term: Radial Head Dislocation

Overview

What it is and why it happens

What is Radial Head Dislocations (Elbow Dislocation in Children)?

What causes it?

Pulling or swinging a young child by the arms (classic nursemaid's elbow)
Sudden yanking when child pulls away or resists (pulling away from parent in parking lot)
Trauma with forearm fracture causing combined fracture-dislocation (Monteggia injury)
Congenital dislocation (present from birth, usually painless, diagnosed later in childhood)

Risk factors

You may be at higher risk if:

Age 1-4 years (ligaments loose, elbow easily subluxes with traction)
Girls slightly more common than boys (60% female)
Previous nursemaid's elbow (20-30% recurrence risk, decreases after age 5)
Left arm more commonly affected (60%) than right arm

Prevention

Avoid swinging or pulling young children by the arms or hands (lift under armpits instead)

Don't yank child's arm when they resist or pull away (bend down and guide gently)

Teach caregivers, grandparents about risk of pulling injuries in toddlers

If recurrent nursemaid's elbow, no specific prevention possible - condition resolves naturally by age 5-6 years as ligaments tighten

When to seek care

Emergency

Immediately

Elbow deformity, severe swelling, or inability to bend elbow after fall or trauma (possible fracture-dislocation - emergency department)

Urgent

Within 24-48 hours

Child suddenly refuses to use arm after pulling or yanking event (possible nursemaid's elbow - see doctor same day for reduction)
Arm not working normally 30 minutes after attempted reduction at urgent care (failed reduction - needs X-rays)

For emergency symptoms, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.

For healthcare professionals

Clinicians and trainees can open the detailed clinical topic for anatomy, examination, imaging, and management depth.

View: Radial Head Dislocation

Related conditions

Broken Forearm (Both Bones)Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (Erb's Palsy)Capitellum Fractures (Elbow Coronal Shear Fractures)Coronoid Fracture (Elbow Bone Break)