Kocher's painless reduction of anterior dislocation of the shoulder: a prospective randomised trial

Forty-five patients with an anterior dislocation of the shoulder were randomised into one of two treatment groups and manipulation performed using Kocher's original method (without traction). A successful reduction was achieved in 80.9% of patients administered Entonox only and in 100% of patients sedated intravenously. No statistical significance was found in the pain scores between the two groups. The study shows that Kocher's original method is a reliable technique for reducing anterior dislocation of the shoulder and a successful outcome can be expected using nitrous oxide only, obviating the need for intravenous sedation and analgesia in the majority of patients.