treatment
Last reviewed 02/2021
This is subject to some controversy, with previously definitive treatments being condemned by some as dangerous.
An important complication of the treatment is damage to the axillary nerve - palsy of this nerve must be tested for and chronicled prior to any manipulation.
After reduction - which should be confirmed by radiograph - the long term treatment depends on the age of the patient:
- in the young, the arm is put in a broad arm sling for 3 or 4 weeks
- after the age of 40 the emphasis is placed on earlier mobilisation, and there is felt to be less risk of recurrent dislocation. Thus the arm is placed in a sling for just one week
Click here for video of techniques for shoulder reduction
Hippocratic method of shoulder reduction
Stimson's technique of shoulder reduction