FARES method of Shoulder Reduction

Indication: Anterior shoulder dislocation

Position of patient: Supine

Position of physician: Standing on the side of the dislocated shoulder

Steps:

1. Physician holds the wrist of the patient with both the arms keeping elbow of the patient extended and forearm in neutral position
2. Arm is slowly abducted in brief oscillating movement (about 5 cm up and down movement – 2 to 3 oscillations per second)
3. After 90 degrees of abduction, add external rotation while continuing oscillations
4. Reduction is usually achieved around 120 degrees of abduction
5. After achieving reduction, slowly internally rotate the arm to bring the forearm to lie across the patient’s chest

Success rate: 88-95%

Reduction time: 2-3 minutes

Pain: 1-2 out of 10 on VAS scale

Reference: Alkaduhimi H, van der Linde JA, Flipsen M, van Deurzen DF, van den Bekerom MP. A systematic and technical guide on how to reduce a shoulder dislocation. Turk J Emerg Med. 2016 Nov 18;16(4):155-168. doi: 10.1016/j.tjem.2016.09.008. PMID: 27995208; PMCID: PMC5154590.