INTRAVENOUS METHOCARBAMOL IN REDUCTION OF SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS.

Abstract

THE CLINICAL USE of muscle relaxant drugs has been substantiated by studies based primarily on the subjective evaluation of the relief of muscle spasm. 1-7 Even the objective determinations of drug efficacy were related to the diminution of pain with subsequent decreased requirement for analgesics. To evaluate the effectiveness of an intravenous muscle relaxant, its ability to facilitate reduction of recent shoulder dislocations was investigated. Method and Materials One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients with recent shoulder dislocations seen at the Kings County Hospital Center were admitted to the study group. One patient had simultaneous dislocation of both shoulders. Dislocations were verified by x-ray. Each patient was then given a one-half hour trial of shoulder dislocation reduction without medication or with moderate analgesia not exceeding 30 mg of codeine. The classical, Hippocratic, Kocher, or Milch prone 8 method of reduction was used. If reduction was not effected within 30 minutes,