Neil Cunningham from shoulderdislocation.net has revolutionized our understanding of reducing dislocated shoulders. The eponymous Cunningham Technique is an intelligent and atraumatic approach to reduction that requires minimal to no sedation. Granted, if your patient is extremely agitated and can’t relax, they will need:
1. anxiolytics, or
2. another technique for reduction, or
3. your dulcet calming tones helping them achieve relaxation
Here’s a video breakdown of the hows and whys of this new technique. We have been using this technique in our shop for a few months and have met with good success. Let us know how it works for you and if you have any pearls to add that can benefit other Ercasters.
NO VIDEO OF CUNNINGHAM?
THANKS. But i think the cinematography and editing are off. it seems that your commentary does not match the video.
don
I like it! I’ve tried scapular manipulation to evade the need to use procedural sedation but have had limited results. It’s hard to get some people into the position for that technique and I think the Cunningham technique might be easier for people because they can stay seated. I also like to inject the capsule with lidocaine and then just do external rotation/abduction.
One thing from the video though, where were the other patients asking for their discharge papers, “where’s my Percocet”, “I haven’t got my sandwich yet”, and the “Wet” patient screaming in the backround?