A novel use of portable ultrasound in the management of shoulder dislocation.

Dislocation of the shoulder joint is a common presentation in the emergency department, the reduction of which is usually performed under sedation. At present post-reduction x rays are taken after the patient has recovered from this sedation. If reduction is unsuccessful, repeated attempts under further sedation may be required. In this small case series, bedside ultrasound was found to be accurate in determining whether reduction had been successful.