Recurrent Nursemaid Elbow Annular Ligament Displacement Treatment Via Telephone

Description: Robert E. Kaplan, MD* and Kathleen A. Lillis, MD PEDIATRICS Vol. 110 No. 1 July 2002, pp. 171-174
Annular ligament displacement (ALD)— also termed radial head subluxation, nursemaid’s elbow, or pulled elbow—can be successfully diagnosed and treated over the telephone by properly trained medical professionals instructing nonmedical caretakers. Two case reports of successful ALD reduction via telephone are described. The pathology of ALD and techniques for its treatment are reviewed, and guidelines are given. The rationale for the introduction of the new term annular ligament displacement as well as areas for additional investigation are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first published account of ALD reduction via telephone.