Nursemaid's elbow: a preventable pediatric injury.

Pediatric trauma injuries account for 11 million hospitalizations annually with a significant percentage related to the musculoskeletal system. Nursemaid's elbow is a common injury in young children that can often be prevented. This injury occurs when the radial head subluxates from its normal position at the elbow joint. Activities such as swinging a child by the hands or pulling on the pronated upper extremity can cause nursemaid's elbow. Prevention of nursemaid's elbow in children may be accomplished with education of parents, daycare workers, and teachers on the mechanism of this common injury.