Radial Head Subluxation Among Young Children in the United States Associated With Consumer Products and Recreational Activities

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2017 Jul;56(8):707-715. doi: 10.1177/0009922816672451. Epub 2016 Oct 10.

Abstract

This study investigated the epidemiology of children treated in US emergency departments for radial head subluxation (RHS) associated with consumer products and recreational activities using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. An estimated 430 766 (95% confidence interval: 341 194-520 339) children ≤5 years of age were treated for RHS in US emergency departments from 1990 to 2011. The mean patient age was 2.1 years, and 56.5% of patients were girls. The most common mechanism of injury was a fall (43.2%), followed by arm pull (39.4%). The annual rate of RHS increased significantly by 190.1% during the 22-year study period. This is the largest study of RHS to date and the first to use a nationally representative sample to investigate secular trends and mechanisms of injury for RHS associated with consumer products and recreational activities. Events associated with consumer products and recreational activities are an important increasing source of RHS.

Keywords: NEISS; annular ligament displacement; nursemaid’s elbow; pulled elbow; radial head subluxation.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Accidents / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Elbow Injuries*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Interior Design and Furnishings
  • Joint Dislocations / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Recreation*
  • United States / epidemiology