Young children's elbow joints are still developing, and a sudden pull on the arm can cause nursemaid's elbow, also called a pulled elbow. The injury happens when the radial head slips partially out of position beneath a ligament near the elbow. It can occur when a child is pulled, swung, or lifted by the hands or forearms. A child with nursemaid's elbow may suddenly stop using the affected arm and keep it close to their body.
