Should shoulder dislocations be reduced “in the field”?
Should shoulder dislocations be reduced “in the field”? Monday March 20, 2006 It is possible to treat a shoulder dislocation at the scene of the injury, but if transportation to a hospital is available, then this is a much safer option. If a trained provider is available, then a shoulder dislocation can often be easily reduced soon after the injury. In this period of time immediately following the injury, the muscles around the joint are not yet in spasm, and the shoulder dislocation can usually be reduced with some basic maneuvers. However, there are potential complications of a shoulder dislocation, and there are possible complications of reducing a dislocated shoulder. Therefore, if trained personnel are not available, or if there are signs of unusual circumstances, reduction of the shoulder dislocation is best done in traine
