Cunningham shoulder reduction

Mechanism

Shoulder disclocation is a common complication of trauma or misuse and is often anterior. In this condition the humeral head has moved anteriorly out of the glenoid fossa. The Cunningham technique involves massaging the bicipital muscle in the mid humerus, with the patient's affected arm adducted (close to their body), and the elbow flexed. At the same time the patient is told to move the shoulder superiorly (up), and posteriorly (back) to allow the humeral head to relocate back into the glenoid fossae.

The patient is often given pain management prior to the procedure to allow tolerance of the procedure. Uncooperative patients or patients with arthritis or joint deformities are often more difficult to relocate and other methods of shoulder reduction can be utilized.