Dislocation of the shoulder joint is common and is mainly anterior. Several reduction methods have been described and the external reduction method (ERM) is one of the newest. We modified the ERM by making some additions in hopes to develop a less painful, quick and simple method. The aim of this study was to compare the new modified external rotation reduction method (MERM) with ERM in acute anterior shoulder dislocations (ASD).

A total of 62 patients with ASD were classified randomly into 2 groups. The reduction was performed with MERM in one group and with ERM in the other group and the results were compared. Patients' pain scores, reduction time, success rate of the reduction methods, age, sex, dislocation side, dislocation time, previous dislocations history, injury mechanism, any complications, reduction time and neurovascular examination were collected. Parametric and nonparametric analyses were used to compare MERM and ERM.

The study cohort consisted of 62 patients (52 males, 10 females; mean age, 35 years; age range, 18–73 years) who were randomly assigned to treatment with the MERM (n = 32) or the ERM (n = 30). There was a statistically significant difference between the two methods in terms of time, and the MERM can be applied much faster than ERM (1.34 ± 1.41 min vs 3.05 ± 1.93 min; p < 0.001). The intra-reduction VAS pain score was not significantly in patients who were treated with MERM (85.31 ± 10.39 vs. 78.33 ± 16.54; p = 0.122).

MERM can be an alternate method compared to the ERM for the reduction of ASD.