Patent ID: 7686775

Claim:
A method for manipulating an arm and shoulder extending from a torso of a patient, said arm of said patient including an upper arm extending from said shoulder to an elbow, and a forearm extending from said elbow to a hand, said method comprising the steps of: positioning said arm of said patient such that the longitudinal axis of said forearm is substantially at a right angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said upper arm; positioning an inflatable forearm bladder proximate to said forearm; securing said forearm bladder relative to a frame wherein said forearm is intermediate said frame and said bladder; and inflating said forearm bladder so as to provide a force against said forearm so as to cause said forearm to move generally toward said frame thereby causing said upper arm of said patient to move away from said shoulder of said patient in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said upper arm.