It does not seem to be generally known with what extreme ease a dislocation may be reduced if tackled immediately after the accident, if the opportunity occurs.
Sixteen years ago I dislocated my shoulder in a fall from a tricycle and I got a gentleman to put it in for me the moment I rose from the ground. Three weeks ago I had a similar accident, from a side slip when on a bicycle, to the same arm. Once again on asking a bystander to hold me firmly by the wrist while I gave a good pull, the head of the humerus was instantly replaced.
On each occasion the reduction was quite painless and could have been effected by a fairly strong child of 10 or 12. On each occasion I had very little subsequent pain after a bandage had been applied, and I recovered the full range of movements of my arm in three weeks.
(BMJ 1904;i: 661)