Open AccessDouble traction method—an easy and safe reduction method for anterior shoulder dislocations, even for non‐orthopedic surgeons
Author(s) -
Tajima Kosuke,
Nishida Yusho,
Shimizu Chikako,
Hori Shingo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.179
Subject(s) - medicine , neurovascular bundle , traction (geology) , orthopedic surgery , supine position , reduction (mathematics) , anterior shoulder dislocation , surgery , anterior shoulder , geometry , mathematics , geomorphology , geology
Cases Forty‐three male and 27 female patients with anterior shoulder dislocation, with an average age of 45 years, were treated with the “double traction method”. The reduction is carried out by two operators, with the patient in a supine position. The first operator holds the patient's wrist and pulls gently longitudinally. After the patient's muscle spasm adequately subsides, the second operator tows the humerus head laterally by using a towel wrapped around the proximal arm. Outcome Reduction was successful in 63 patients (90%). No iatrogenic fracture or neurovascular deficit occurred. Conclusion Movement of the patient's arm position causes pain‐related muscle spasm. The double traction method is distinctive compared to other manual relocation maneuvers in that the patient's arm is kept at the same position throughout the whole procedure. This maneuver is an easy and safe reduction method for anterior shoulder dislocations, even for non‐orthopedic surgeons. It should be an option worth considering for closed reduction in shoulder dislocations.