Successful reductions of anterior shoulder dislocations using intra articular lidocaine injection

Objective: to find out the frequency of successful reductions in acute anterior shoulder dislocations after the use of intra-articular lidocaine injection.methodology: this study (case series) was conducted in emergency department of civil hospital karachi from july 2009 to january 2010. patients with acute anterior shoulder dislocation (diagnosed with examination and x-rays) were reduced in emergency department by hippocratic method after infiltration of 1% lidocaine in the affected shoulder joint. reduction was confirmed by post reduction shoulder x-rays. frequency of successful reduction and complications were recorded.results: majority of the patients (34.3%) were between 18-30 years of age group with mean age of 40.14 (±15.14) years. males were affected more than females with male to female ratio being 2.9:1. they commonly had predominant right shoulder dislocation (71.4%). successful reduction was achieved in 32 (91.4%) patients after infiltration of 1% lidocaine injection. no complication was recorded.conclusion: use of intra-articular lidocaine for reduction of shoulder joint appears to be a safe and effective method and associated with successful reduction in majority of cases