The Prakash Technique for Reducing Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: Efficient, Safer, Time-Saving, and Needing no Assistance, Sedation, or Traction

Prakash Technique for Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: A Safe, Solo, and Sedation-Free Reduction

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Prakash method of shoulder reduction in patients having anterior shoulder dislocation and presenting within the first twenty-four hours of injury. Study Design: Prospective interventional study. Settings: Mayo Hospital/King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. Duration: Two years, from November 2021 to October 2023. Methods: In this study, the Prakash technique was attempted to reduce all anteriorly dislocated shoulders without anaesthesia, sedation, traction, or assistance. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of successful reduction (in the first attempt) and documentation of any post-reduction complications. Results: A total of 50 patients with mean age of 30.3 ± 11.8 years were included in this study. Males were 46(92%) and female 4(8%). The right shoulder was involved in 82% of the patients, while the left shoulder was dislocated in 18% of patients. The majority, 94% (n=47) of the shoulders were successfully reduced with the Prakash method. The mean time of reduction was 118 ± 32 seconds. There were no post-reduction complications observed related to the technique. The pain felt during the procedure, as per the Visual Analogue Scale, ranged from 4 to 7 with a mean of 4.58 ± 1.6. Three cases (6%) could not be reduced and were relocated with other manoeuvres of shoulder reduction under sedation. Conclusion: Prakash's method can be used safely and effectively as a method of choice to reduce anterior shoulder dislocations without any sedation, assistance, or traction.