title: Intra-articular Lidocaine Injection for Shoulder Reductions: A Clinical Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The shoulder is the most commonly dislocated joint, and shoulder dislocations are very common in sports. Many of these dislocations present to the office or training room for evaluation. Usual practice is an attempt at manual reduction without analgesia and then transfer to the emergency department if unsuccessful. The clinical efficacy of intra-articular lidocaine for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations in the outpatient setting was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  An OVID MEDLINE search (1966-present) was performed using the keywords shoulder, reduction, and analgesia as well as shoulder, intra-articular, and lidocaine. Search limits included articles in the English language. Bibliographic references from these articles were also examined to identify pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six randomized controlled clinical trials were identified that directly addressed this clinical technique. Although the reduction techniques used in these studies were not controlled, there was no statistically significant difference in success rates between groups. The complication rate, length of stay, and costs were significantly less in the intra-articular lidocaine group when compared with the intravenous sedation group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to current evidence, the use of intra-articular lidocaine injection for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations is not harmful and is likely advantageous in the outpatient clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Waterbrook
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paul