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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Effectiveness of external-rotation immobilization after initial shoulder dislocation in reducing recurrence rates
Kellie Huxel Bliven1, Karrie L Hamstra-Wright
1Dept of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA.
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
|May 25, 2012
Summary
Immobilizing initial shoulder dislocations in external rotation (ER) may reduce recurrence more effectively than traditional internal rotation (IR) immobilization. This offers a promising nonsurgical treatment for shoulder instability.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Sports medicine
- Traumatology
Background:
- Initial traumatic shoulder dislocations, especially anterior ones, are common injuries.
- Traditional nonsurgical treatment involves immobilization in internal rotation (IR).
- Internal rotation immobilization has a high rate of shoulder dislocation recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate external rotation (ER) immobilization as an alternative nonsurgical treatment for initial shoulder dislocations.
- To determine if ER immobilization can reduce recurrence rates compared to IR immobilization.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent reports and clinical data on shoulder dislocation treatment.
- Comparison of recurrence rates between patients immobilized in internal rotation (IR) versus external rotation (ER).
Main Results:
- External rotation (ER) immobilization shows potential for reducing shoulder dislocation recurrence.
- ER immobilization may be a more effective nonsurgical approach than traditional IR immobilization.
Conclusions:
- Immobilization in external rotation (ER) is a viable nonsurgical option for initial shoulder dislocations.
- This approach may improve outcomes and decrease recurrence in patients with shoulder instability.

