medi SAK®*

Inflatable shoulder abduction cushion: instructions for medical staff

medi SAK abduction cushion

Instructions for medi SAK®* inflatable shoulder abduction cushion

The following film will give you helpful tips on caring for patients with the inflatable shoulder abduction cushion, medi SAK*.

Helpful information on medi SAK®*

  • The medi SAK* can be used for either the left or the right shoulder.
  • For postoperative use, the medi SAK* is fitted to the patient while he is still in the operating theatre to avoid harmful movements of the operated shoulder when the patient is repositioned.
  • This is possible with the patient lying on his side or on his back.
  • The angle of abduction is infinitely variable thanks to the inflatable cushion.

Instructions for medical staff:

  1. First open the cover on the side of the abduction cushion and insert the inflatable cushion.
  2. Now inflate the cushion completely with the aid of the enclosed pump and close the valve. When the cushion is completely inflated, it creates an abduction angle of about 60 degrees.
  3. Now cover the valve again with the Velcro fastener. The Velcro fasteners on the sides of the abduction cushion's shoulder straps face upwards towards the patient.
  4. Position the hand rest on the cushion in such a way that the hand on the side of the affected shoulder can clasp the ball.
  5. Position the arm loops along the hand rest with the Velcro. Start with the smallest loop one hand's breadth away from the ball on the hand rest. Depending on the length of the arm, the correct position of the wedge cushion is slightly offset from the hand rest at the other end of the abduction cushion.
  6. Now put the orthosis on the patient. First open the shoulder strap on the side of the injured shoulder and all the loops.
  7. Now position the abduction cushion between the forearm and the hip.
  8. Lay the patient's arm in the loops of the wedge or abduction cushion and close the Velcro fasteners.
  9. The hand rests on the ball on the hand rest.
  10. Then pass the shoulder strap over the patient's healthy shoulder and attach it to the end of the abduction cushion. The length of the shoulder strap can be adjusted individually using the Velcro fasteners.
  11. When adjusting the length of the shoulder strap, make sure that the arm and the forearm are resting against the side of the upper body at an angle of about 90° Also make sure that the length of the shoulder strap allows the patient to stand up straight and relaxed.
  12. You can also shorten the shoulder strap by removing the Y-fastener, cutting the strap to the desired length with scissors and re-attaching the fastener.
  13. An additional strap should be passed around the patient's waist to fix the abduction cushion securely to the upper body. Attach the strap to the front of the cushion.
  14. The orthosis can be further modified after surgery for more comfort in wear.
  15. An additional axilla strap can be attached for effective relief of the shoulder and neck region.
  16. Once the orthosis has been adjusted properly, the patient can put it on alone, also after the operation depending on the range of movement, whereby excessive strain on the operated shoulder should be avoided.

Product information

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Intended purpose

* Shoulder joint support for immobilisation and stress relief.