Apparatus for supporting and positioning the arm and shoulder

摘要

Apparatus is disclosed for properly supporting and positioning a patient's arm and shoulder when placed in a prone position on an operating table for laminectomy surgical procedures and the like after correct positioning of the spine is accomplished. The apparatus includes a resilient arm cradle having a trough which supports the arm distally from the shoulders to adjacent the patient's wrist which flexes to support the arm naturally bent and in which the weight of the arm is supported over a greater surface area in a manner which is particularly advantageous in preventing pressure points on the elbow. The apparatus further includes an axilla cuff which fits under the axilla and has an exterior contour which interfaces with the shape of the trough of the arm cradle in such a manner that a desired rotation of the shoulder is maintained so as to preclude brachial plexus damage.