The external rotation method for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation.

Acute anterior shoulder dislocation is a common disorder confronting the emergency physician. Traditional methods of reduction are often technically difficult, time consuming, and painful to the patient. Furthermore, they frequently require more than one physician and occasionally exacerbate the injury. Conversely, the recently described method of reduction by external rotation is a reliable and safe method. A single physician performs the reduction rapidly and patients tolerate it well.