Immediate Reduction of Shoulder Dislocation

In brief Anterior shoulder dislocations are common injuries in sports medicine. Associated fractures and neurovascular injuries are rare but need to be identified by physical examination and x-ray before reduction is attempted. The authors present a preferred reduction method based on the technique described by Matsen et al;⁵ other methods can also be used. In the patient under 30 years of age, postreduction immobilization and strengthening exercises are important to help prevent redislocation; in older patients, range-of-motion exercises are more critical.