Closed Reduction of Acute Posterior Shoulder Dislocation via Intra-articular Anesthesia: A Case Report and Technical Note

Acute posterior shoulder dislocation (PSD) is a rare traumatic event, and initial diagnosis is often delayed.A thorough objective examination is essential when clinical findings and plain radiography point toward a PSD; however, advanced imaging with a low-dose Computed Tomography (CT) protocol should be prioritized to confirm the diagnosis and quantify bone defects.The Kocher technique is traditionally employed to reduce anterior dislocations and can be self-performed by the patient under physician guidance.We report the case of a 53-year-old man admitted to our emergency department with an acute PSD.A modified version of the assisted self-reduction Kocher maneuver was successfully employed following ultrasoundguided intra-articular lidocaine infiltration, avoiding the need for general anesthesia or systemic sedation.This technical note discusses the procedure's advantages, such as the interruption of the pain-reflex arc to manage muscle spasm, and its potential limitations in the management of acute posterior shoulder instability.