Abstract
The authors introduce a new method for the closed reduction of anterior dislocation of the shoulder. Seventy-one patients with age range between 18 and 73 years were included in this prospective study. Sixty patients had pure anterior dislocation of the shoulder and eleven patients had an accompanied fracture of the greater tuberosity. Reduction of the shoulders was performed by first and second-year orthopaedic residents. Three methods were used for reduction; the new relaxed method, Kocher and the traditional Hippocrate’s methods. Residents were free to choose the type of method for reduction. The new relaxed method was performed while the patient was lying on his back and was fully relaxed. No sedation, or analgesics were used. While the arm was on side and the elbow extended, gentle longitudinal traction accompanied by continuous abduction was applied. Continuous vertical oscillation of the upper arm was applied simultaneously as the arm was brought gently into abduction. After 90 degrees of abduction the arm was externally rotated and abduction was continued gently to about 120 degres where reduction of the shoulder was expected. The new relaxed method was successfully used 28 times out of 34 attempts. The Kocher method was also successfully used 13 times out of 22 attempts and the Hippocrate’s method 10 times out of fifteen attempts. The new painless and smooth method for reduction of anterior dislocation of the shoulder is an effective, non-traumatic procedure that can be performed easily without the use of sedation or analgesia.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
