External rotation method of shoulder dislocation reduction

We used the external rotation method for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations on 85 consecutive patients seen in our emergency department during a one-year period. In relatively inexperienced hands, the external rotation method was successful on first attempt in 80% of cases. There were no complications attributable to the technique itself. We feel that it is a successful, easy, and atraumatic method of achieving reduction in both first occurrence and recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations.