IMMEDIATE REDUCTION OF SHOULDER DISLOCATION

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 at tempted, The authors present a preferred reduction method based on the technique described by Matsen et al;(5) other methods can also be use d, In the patient under 30 years of age, postreduction immobilization and strengthening exercises are important to help prevent redislocatio n; in older patients, range-of-motion exercises are more critical.