A short cut review was carried out to establish how intra-articular lidocaine compared with intravenous analgesia and sedation during reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations. Altogether 146 papers were found using the reported search, of which three presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.