title: A simple and gentle technique for reduction after anterior shoulder dislocation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anterior shoulder dislocation (ASD) is a common sports injury. The goal of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for reduction after ASD with respect to success rate, the need for medication for muscle relaxation, sedation, and application of pain medication and put it into context to a systematic literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated the new method in 263 patients in an Austrian skiing area from December 2005 till April 2009. We included patients with unilateral ASD and excluded those with a combined trauma and consecutive admission to hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new procedure is performed in a supine position, the therapist takes the patients hand of the injured limb with his one hand and with his other hand counter holds against the acromion. Then he enhances the traction on the upper limp by using his trunk as a kind of fulcrum. With eye contact and instructions to relax, the therapist is able to detect the muscular tension, so that he can adjust the amount of traction accordingly. The presented procedure was successful in all reported cases. For 196 patients (74.5 %) no medication for muscle relaxation, sedation, or pain medication were needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new method is a promising option to popular techniques for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations. The benefits of this protocol are a gentle and simple application of the procedure as well as an easy acquisition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dreu
authors.affiliation: Private Hospital of Dr. Aufmesser, Radstadt/Obertauern, Austria.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aufmesser
authors.affiliation: Private Hospital of Dr. Aufmesser, Radstadt/Obertauern, Austria.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aufmesser
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolcet
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feigl
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5, 8036, Graz, Austria. patricksadoghi@gmx.at.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sadoghi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior shoulder dislocation; New technique; Reduction; Review analysis