Nurse Maids Elbow – Registered Nurse II-MAIN OR

Nursemaid’s Elbow: A Common Injury in Young Children

Nursemaid’s elbow, medically known as radial head subluxation, is a common elbow injury that occurs in young children when one of the forearm bones—the radius—slips partially out of its normal position at the elbow joint. Because the ligaments in small children are still developing and not yet fully strong, even a mild pulling force on the arm can cause the joint to shift. This type of injury often happens during everyday situations, such as when a child’s arm is suddenly pulled while being lifted, guided, or swung during play.

The condition typically affects toddlers and preschool-aged children, especially those between one and four years old. It becomes less common after the age of five or six, when the bones grow stronger and the surrounding ligaments become more stable. When the injury occurs, children often hold their arm close to their body with the elbow slightly bent and may refuse to move it because movement causes discomfort.

Despite the alarming appearance, nursemaid’s elbow is usually not severe. In many cases, the child experiences pain only when trying to rotate or use the affected arm, while gentle touching of the area may not cause discomfort. The injury happens because the ligament surrounding the radial head temporarily slips out of place, preventing the elbow joint from moving normally.

Treatment is typically simple and quick. Healthcare professionals can perform a gentle maneuver—often called closed reduction—to guide the bone and ligament back into their proper position. Techniques such as hyperpronation or supination-flexion are commonly used and usually restore normal arm movement within minutes. Once treated, most children recover fully without lasting problems, although caregivers are often advised to avoid pulling or lifting a child by the arms to prevent the injury from happening again.

What is a Nurse Maids Elbow?

Nursemaid elbow is a common elbow injury, especially among young children and toddlers. It occurs when a child’s elbow is pulled and one of the bones partially dislocates, giving it another name, “pulled elbow.” Your doctor may refer to it as a radial head subluxation.

What is the medical term for nursemaid’s elbow?

The medical term for nursemaid’s elbow is radial head subluxation. What causes nursemaid’s elbow? A sudden pulling or traction on the hand or forearm, such as when a parent reaches out and grabs a child about to fall or to walk into the street, causes nursemaid’s elbow. This causes the radius to slip out of the ligament holding it into the elbow.

How is Nurse Maids Elbow diagnosed?

Although an x-ray image is not required for your doctor to diagnose a nursemaid’s elbow, he or she may order one to make sure there are no broken bones. Treatment In most cases of nursemaid’s elbow, the doctor will gently move the bones back into normal position. The medical term for this procedure is “reduction.”

Are X-rays necessary for nursemaid’s elbow?

X-rays are usually not needed. X-ray results are normal in someone with a nursemaid’s elbow. But X-rays may be taken if the child does not move the arm after a reduction. Sometimes, the first attempt at a reduction does not work. It may take two or more times to put the elbow back into the correct position. Surgery is rarely needed.

Registered Nurse II-MAIN OR – Medical University of South Carolina

Full Job Description

Under general supervision, the Registered Nurse II provides individualized, goal-directed patient care to families and patients at the competent level utilizing the principles and practices of the nursing process; delivers safe and effective care, and interacts with other members of the health care team to achieve desired results.
Salary $51,921 – $68,301 a year

Minimum Training and Education

Bachelor of Nursing degree preferred. RN staff hired on or after July 1, 2013, with an Associate or Diploma degree in nursing, are required to be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years and successfully obtain a BSN degree within four years of the RN hire or reclassification date. Refer to policy A141 for more details. A minimum of one year of work experience as a registered nurse is required.

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations

Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required, either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform “pinching” operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36″ to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex-safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate based on race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit, and business need.

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