A review of reduction techniques for anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations

Objective This review article aims to describe the techniques, success rates, advantages and disadvantages of commonly used anterior shoulder reduction maneuvers.

A review of literature was performed and each article was reviewed for the reported success rates, advantages, disadvantages and technical notes for each anterior shoulder reduction technique.

There are a wide variety of very successful shoulder reduction maneuvers, each with their own specific set of advantages and disadvantages.

While there are some situations that may favor one of these anterior shoulder reduction techniques over another; it is largely left up to the healthcare provider to determine which maneuver is best on a patient-to-patient basis.

Shoulder dislocation; shoulder subluxation; shoulder reduction; orthopaedics, emergency medicine.