Abduction-and-horizontal-adduction technique for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocations: a simple technique evaluated with radiographs

Forty-five acute anterior shoulder dislocations were reduced by an abduction-and-horizontal-adduction technique performed in the supine position. Forty-one (91%) of the 45 dislocations were reduced successfully on the first attempt using this technique, without anesthesia or assistance. There were no complications attributed to the technique. To clarify the reduction maneuver using this technique, the procedure was evaluated with radiographs. With horizontal adduction and gentle traction applied at 90 degrees of abduction, the scapula maximally shifted anteriorly with superior rotation, allowing the dislocated humeral head to be reduced. The long head of the biceps tendon seems to have an important role in this reduction technique, along with the musculotendinous units of the rotator cuff.