Preliminary prospective RCT testing whether immobilizing the arm in external rotation (10°) rather than conventional internal rotation (sling) after a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation reduces recurrence. 40 patients were assigned to one of the two immobilization strategies for 3 weeks, then followed for a mean of 15.5 months.
When managing a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation conservatively — especially in a patient under 30 — consider external rotation immobilization at approximately 10° rather than a standard sling in internal rotation; this study showed it eliminated recurrence at short-term follow-up, though the small sample and limited follow-up mean you should counsel patients that long-term data are still evolving.
Preliminary prospective RCT testing whether immobilizing the arm in external rotation (10°) rather than conventional internal rotation (sling) after a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation reduces recurrence. 40 patients were assigned to one of the two immobilization strategies for 3 weeks, then followed for a mean of 15.5 months.
When managing a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation conservatively — especially in a patient under 30 — consider external rotation immobilization at approximately 10° rather than a standard sling in internal rotation; this study showed it eliminated recurrence at short-term follow-up, though the small sample and limited follow-up mean you should counsel patients that long-term data are still evolving.