In pediatric patients, which joint is the most commonly dislocated?

• A. Ankle
• B. Elbow
• C. Finger
• D. Knee

Answer: (B)

In children, true elbow dislocations occur more frequently than dislocations of the ankle, knee, or finger joints. The common fall on an outstretched hand often drives the distal humerus backward relative to the forearm, and the developing pediatric elbow—with its growth plates and ligamentous structure—can displace rather than fracture in this mechanism, making elbow dislocations the most commonly seen true joint dislocations in kids. It’s worth noting that radial head subluxation, sometimes called nursemaid’s elbow, is a very common elbow issue in children but it’s not a full dislocation of the elbow joint. This distinction helps explain why the elbow is the best answer among the options.