The American journal of orthopedics
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Selective spinal injections are being performed with increasing frequency in the management of acute and chronic pain syndromes. Because these procedures require a needle to be placed in or around the spine, there is always a risk of complications. ⋯ Physician training and patient preparation and monitoring are required to maximize the safety and efficacy of the specific spinal procedures. This focused review article discusses the primary general and specific complications of spinal injection procedures as well as treatments.
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We evaluated the use of Kocher's original method (without humeral traction) for reduction of acute anterior glenohumeral dislocation in 28 alpine skiers and snowboarders at a single ski area during the 1995-1996 ski season. In all cases, reduction was begun within 1 hour of the acute injury. ⋯ Only 1 patient experienced discomfort significant enough to require analgesia, and no patients required sedation. The complication rate was minimal, with 1 patient developing hyperesthesia in the axillary nerve distribution; no fractures of the humerus or glenoid resulted from the reduction technique.