1. Least Effective Exercises Slideshow
2. Dehydration Slideshow
3. First Aid Care and Pain Relief for Minor Injuries

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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The doctor will manipulate the elbow back in place (reduce) by pulling down on your wrist and levering your elbow back into place. This is very painful, so powerful medications for pain are generally given before reduction. Many doctors who attempt this procedure will offer the patient "conscious sedation." The patient is given an anesthetic dose that is strong enough to reduce or stop the pain sensation of the elbow reduction technique but the patient remains conscious enough to control their own breathing.

After the elbow is back in place, the doctor will get X-rays and then put the patient in a splint that will keep their elbow bent. The splint will make an "L" around the back of the elbow. It will be make of plaster or fiberglass. Its purpose is to prevent movement of the arm at the elbow. Usually, the arm will be placed in a sling to help the patient hold the splint in a level position and to prevent pressure on the elbow joint.

Nursemaid's elbow, because the developing elbow joint does not have the resistance of the adult joint, can usually be reduced easily without anesthesia by a person trained in the simple technique. However, unless trained, this reduction technique should not be done.

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