The Noergaard Technique for Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Introduction

In this article the investigators describe the Noergaard technique for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations. This is an atraumatic reduction method that has proven successful through several years of practice. The investigators describe and evaluate the results of this technique through a retrospective analysis of patients admitted and treated for anterior shoulder dislocation at the emergency department (ED) of Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Denmark, in a 1-year period.

Methods

In the Noergaard technique the patient is placed standing bend over forwards in front of the rail on a hospital bed, resting the forehead on the back of the non-affected forearm, which is put on the rail. The affected arm should now be relaxed and stretched, hanging straight down toward the floor. The patient is then instructed to attempt to relax and make pendular and circular motions with the affected arm hanging down.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients have had a closed shoulder reduction performed at the emergency center of Hospital of Hvidovre between 1st of January 2014 and the 31st of December 2014.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with diagnosed severe arthrosis in the shoulder joint.
• Patients with malignancy in the humerus or scapula.
• Patients who have had a Total Shoulder Arthroplasty performed at the same side as the lunation.
• Patients with more than four previous shoulder reductions performed.
• Patients who have undergone operations on the same shoulder, but at different hospitals.