Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07757594

FARES Versus Traction-Countertraction for Acute Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Anterior shoulder dislocation is a common orthopedic emergency that requires prompt reduction to relieve pain and restore joint function. Several techniques have been described for closed reduction, but the optimal method remains uncertain. The FARES (Fast, Reliable, and Safe) technique is a relatively new reduction method that may provide faster reduction with less pain compared with the conventional traction-countertraction technique.

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of the FARES technique and the traction-countertraction technique for the reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation in adult patients.

Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive reduction using either the FARES technique or the traction-countertraction technique. The study will evaluate the success rate of reduction, pain experienced during the procedure, time required for reduction, and procedure-related complications.

The findings of this study may provide evidence to guide the selection of reduction techniques for patients with acute anterior shoulder dislocation in the emergency department.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Acute Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Disease Attributes Emergencies Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics

Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

Location contact

Ngoc Quyen Le, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+84903818438

About this study

Acute anterior shoulder dislocation is one of the most common orthopedic emergencies and requires timely reduction to relieve pain, restore joint alignment, and minimize complications. Various closed reduction techniques have been described, but there is still no universal consensus regarding the optimal technique in terms of effectiveness, patient comfort, and procedural efficiency.

The FARES (Fast, Reliable, and Safe) technique is a relatively recent method for closed reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation. This technique combines gentle longitudinal traction, oscillating movements, and gradual abduction of the arm, aiming to facilitate reduction while minimizing patient discomfort. The traction-countertraction technique is a commonly used conventional method that relies on opposing forces applied by the operator and an assistant.

This study is designed to compare the outcomes of these two reduction techniques in adult patients with acute anterior shoulder dislocation. The study will evaluate whether the FARES technique provides advantages over the traction-countertraction technique regarding reduction success, pain during the procedure, reduction time, and safety outcomes.

The results of this trial may contribute to improving evidence-based decision-making for the management of acute anterior shoulder dislocation in emergency care settings.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥18 years.
  • Conscious and cooperative patients.
  • Anterior shoulder dislocation confirmed by shoulder radiographs (anteroposterior view and Y-view).
  • Time from injury to reduction <24 hours.
  • Simple anterior shoulder dislocation or anterior shoulder dislocation associated with greater tuberosity fracture only.
  • Patient agrees to participate in the study and provides informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Other injuries of the same upper extremity.
  • Neurovascular deficits before reduction.
  • Polytrauma, hemodynamic instability, or medical conditions contraindicating immediate reduction.
  • Previous surgery of the affected shoulder.

Treatment and study plan

FARES Technique

Procedure

Closed reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation using the FARES (Fast, Reliable, and Safe) technique.

Traction-Countertraction Technique

Procedure

Closed reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation using the conventional traction-countertraction technique.

Primary outcomes

  1. Successful reduction at the first attempt

    Time frame: During the initial reduction procedure

    Proportion of participants achieving successful reduction using the assigned technique without requiring an alternative reduction method.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time to successful reduction

    Time frame: During the reduction procedure

    The time required to achieve successful reduction, measured from the beginning of the assigned reduction maneuver until restoration of shoulder joint alignment.

  2. Pain intensity during reduction procedure

    Time frame: Immediately after completion of the reduction procedure

    Pain intensity experienced by participants during the reduction procedure, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a continuous scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 100 mm (worst imaginable pain), where higher scores indicate worse outcome.

  3. Number of reduction attempts

    Time frame: During the reduction procedure

    The number of attempts required to achieve successful shoulder reduction using the assigned technique.

  4. Procedure-related complications

    Time frame: During the reduction procedure and immediate post-reduction assessment

    Incidence of complications related to the reduction procedure, including neurovascular complications and other adverse events.

  5. Factors associated with successful reduction

    Time frame: From baseline assessment until completion of the reduction procedure

    Odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval) for successful reduction associated with each baseline factor, estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Successful reduction is defined as restoration of glenohumeral joint congruity confirmed on post-reduction radiography, achieved with the allocated technique without crossover to an alternative technique or the addition of procedural sedation. Baseline factors entered into the model are age (years), sex (male/female), body mass index (kg/m²), mechanism of injury (fall / sports-related / road traffic accident / other), time from injury to reduction attempt (hours), history of recurrent shoulder dislocation (yes/no), and associated greater tuberosity fracture on pre-reduction radiography (yes/no).

  6. Pain intensity after reduction

    Time frame: Immediately after successful reduction

    Pain intensity after completion of the reduction procedure, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ngoc Quyen Le, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+84903818438

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ngoc Quyen Le

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The FARES Versus Traction-Countertraction Technique for Acute Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.