A child is spinned around by holding his hand by his father. While doing this the child staed crying and does not allow his father to touch his elbow. The diagnosis is:
**Core Concept**
Rotatory subluxation of the radial head, also known as nursemaid's elbow, is a common injury in young children. It occurs when the radius bone in the forearm partially dislocates from the elbow joint, often due to a sudden twisting motion.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
When the child is spun around by holding his hand, the sudden twisting motion causes the radius bone to partially dislocate from the elbow joint. This results in pain and discomfort, leading the child to cry and resist further movement of the arm. The child's refusal to allow his father to touch his elbow is a classic sign of this condition, as the affected elbow joint is tender and sensitive to touch.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** A fracture of the radius is not the correct diagnosis, as the child's symptoms are not consistent with a break in the bone. In a fracture, there would typically be more severe pain and swelling, and the child would not be able to move the arm at all.
**Option B:** A dislocation of the elbow joint is not the correct diagnosis, as the radius bone has only partially dislocated from the joint, not completely.
**Option C:** A strain of the bicep muscle is not the correct diagnosis, as the child's symptoms are not consistent with a muscle injury. The pain and discomfort are localized to the elbow joint, not the bicep muscle.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Rotatory subluxation of the radial head is a common injury in young children, and it can be easily reduced by a simple maneuver called the "nursemaid's elbow reduction." This involves flexing the child's elbow and gently rotating the forearm to reduce the subluxation.
**Correct Answer:** C.