A maid is playing with a child by spinning him while holding his hands. A few hours later, the child starts crying, does not use his arm, and does not let anybody touch him. What is the possible diagnosis?

Correct Answer: D. Pulled elbow

Pulled elbow (nursemaid's elbow) is a radial head subluxation that occurs when longitudinal traction is applied to an extended arm, typically during play or when a child is lifted by the hands. The mechanism here—spinning while holding hands—creates exactly this force. The radial head slips through the annular ligament, which is normally loose in young children (ages 1–5 years), making them uniquely susceptible. The child presents with sudden onset of pain, refusal to use the arm (pseudoparalysis), and guarding against any movement or touch—classic for this injury. Unlike fractures, there is no visible deformity, swelling is minimal, and X-rays are typically normal. The diagnosis is clinical. Management is simple reduction by supination of the forearm with elbow flexion, often performed without anesthesia in primary care settings across India. The condition is self-limiting and recurrence is common if the mechanism repeats.

Why the other options are wrong

A. Olecranon fracture — Olecranon fractures result from direct trauma (fall on elbow) or avulsion from triceps pull, not from longitudinal traction during play. They present with visible swelling, deformity, and loss of elbow extension. X-rays show a clear fracture line. The spinning mechanism described does not cause olecranon injury. B. Radial head fracture — Radial head fractures occur from direct impact or fall on outstretched hand (FOOSH), not from pure longitudinal traction. They cause localized tenderness over the radial head, limited pronation/supination, and are visible on X-ray. The clinical presentation (sudden onset, no touch tolerance, normal X-rays) rules this out. C. Elbow dislocation — Elbow dislocations require high-energy trauma and present with obvious deformity, severe swelling, and neurovascular compromise risk. They are visible clinically and on X-ray. A spinning motion in a child does not generate sufficient force for dislocation, and the absence of visible deformity makes this unlikely.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

PULLED ELBOW = Traction + Young child Pull/traction mechanism | Under 5 years | Loose annular ligament | Longitudinal force | Extended arm | Diagnosis is clinical (normal X-ray) | Easy reduction (supination + flexion) | Little swelling | Bow position (extended) | Often recurs | Watch for prevention counseling. Use when you see 'spinning' + young child + no deformity. SUBLUXATION CLUE: Traction + Toddler = Radial slip Traction force on extended arm in toddler (1–5 yr) → radial head slips through loose annular ligament → sudden pain + pseudoparalysis + normal X-ray. Reduction by supination + flexion.

NBE Trap

NBE may pair "spinning" with fracture options to test whether students reflexively assume trauma = fracture. The key discriminator is the mechanism (longitudinal traction, not impact) + age (1–5 years) + normal X-rays + clinical diagnosis—all point to subluxation, not fracture.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian primary care and emergency departments, nursemaid's elbow is often managed by trained nurses or junior doctors without X-rays—a simple supination maneuver in the OPD relieves pain instantly and the child resumes play within minutes. Parents often bring the child back weeks later with recurrence from the same play behavior, making prevention counseling essential.

_Reference: Bailey & Love Ch. 33 (Paediatric Orthopaedics); Guyton & Hall (Skeletal Mechanics)_