A stepped care approach to reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation in the prone position

Surgeon. 2007 Dec;5(6):363-7. doi: 10.1016/s1479-666x(07)80089-8.

Abstract

There are various methods of reducing anterior shoulder dislocations. The traditionally used methods like Kocher's and Hippocratic are associated with procedural complications and frequently require sedation/muscle relaxants which have their own complications and are associated with longer stay and monitoring requirement in the emergency department. We describe a stepped care approach to shoulder dislocation reduction in the prone position involving four steps and two new manipulation methods taking into consideration the pathological deforming forces in a dislocated shoulder and addressing them in a stepwise fashion. This method does not require sedation/muscle relaxants in the majority of cases, is easy to learn, relatively painless, associated with shorter stay in the emergency department and has fewer complications.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Prone Position*
  • Rotation
  • Shoulder Dislocation / prevention & control*