Pulled elbow in children: a case series including 66 patients

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2015 Sep;24(5):385-8. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000000182.

Abstract

The aim of this case series was to assess the data of 66 children (mean age 28 months) with a diagnosis of pulled elbow. The most common time interval of injury was 12-6 p.m. and spring was the peak season. Children younger than 2 years of age had a higher rate of atypical injury history. A successful reduction by supination and flexion maneuver was achieved at the first attempt in 57 of 66 patients. The patients admitted to the hospital within the first 2 h following the injury had a higher rate of successful reduction at the first attempt. The rate of radiographic examination was considerably high and a well-defined algorithm to avoid the complicacy in ordering a plain radiograph in such cases was suggested. All patients achieved full clinical recovery after a mean follow-up of 2 years, and recurrence was observed in 16 of 66 children.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Elbow Injuries*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Joint Dislocations / epidemiology*
  • Joint Dislocations / therapy
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic / methods
  • Pronation
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Recurrence
  • Supination
  • Turkey / epidemiology