Background
Anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint
is a common presentation to hospital
emergency departments (EDs).
Aim
To compare the requirement for sedation
and length of ED stay utilising the author’s
seated shoulder reduction technique (SRT)
with traditional shoulder reduction (TSR)
techniques in the ED.
Results
A total of 486 patient charts were reviewed
and 404 met inclusion criteria. Patients
were categorised into the SRT group: 66
(16.3%) and TSR group: 338 (83.7%). Mean
age of the groups was 30 years (SRT)
vs. 29 years (TSR), with 80% being male.
Mean length of stay in the SRT group
was 1.5 hours (95% CI: 1.1–1.9) vs. TSR 2.9
hours (95% CI: 2.3–2.9; p<0.001). Sedation
was not required in patients in the SRT
group, but was required for all patients
in the TSR group. No complications were
reported in either group.
Conclusion
In this study group, the author’s technique
was successful in reducing anterior
shoulder dislocation, without the need for
sedation, and reduced length of ED stay
when compared to TSR techniques.
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