Reduction of anterior dislocation of the shoulder: the Spaso technique

Address for correspondence; Assoc Prof A-M Kelly Department of Emergency Medicine Western Hospital Private Bag, Footscray 3011 Email: [email protected] Introduction Anterior dislocation of the shoulder is the most common major joint dislocation encountered in emergency departments. Reduction of these dislocations is one of a range of procedures in which emergency physicians need to be skilled. A number of methods of closed reduction have been described with varying success rates. This paper describes a method (developed by the main author) that is simple, applies minimal force, is able to be performed by a single operator and is highlv effective, even in inexperienced hands.