Importance

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Abstract

A method for treating shoulder subluxation using an implantable device to stimulate the axillary nerve which in turn activates sensory fibers to relieve shoulder pain and activates deltoid muscle to treat disuse atrophy and possibly augment any weakened voluntary movements. Known stimulation devices are either (1) external requiring surface electrodes or (2) implantable located directly into the deltoid muscle allowing stimulation of the proximate motor-points; each requiring relatively large stimulus currents and neither directly dealing with the pain resulting from the shoulder subluxation. In the present invention, a device is implanted via injection or open surgery proximate to the axillary nerve. Advantageously, the nerve branches into portions that stimulate the deltoid muscle and pass sensory signals. By stimulating the axillary nerve (1) a lower stimulus signal level can be used and (2) pain may be blocked while treating the atrophied deltoid muscle and augmenting weakened voluntary movements.

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First Claim