What is a shoulder fracture?
A shoulder fracture is a break or crack in the clavicle, scapula or proximal humerus. In the latter case it would be called a fracture of the humerus. Shoulder fractures are usually the result of a sudden force applied to the arm (a hard fall, a blow during sports or a traffic accident).
Prognosis of the disease
If they are diagnosed in time, most of the fractures evolve very well with the treatment indicated by the specialist doctor. Evidently, assessing the place and the gravity.
In some cases, especially if proper rehabilitation is not performed, the person may have some sequelae such as stiffness, weakness, shortening or loss of arm function.
Symptoms of shoulder fracture
This kind of injury usually causes severe pain. Another symptomatology of this fracture can be:
- Intense pain
- Swelling of the shoulder
- Extreme tenderness in the shoulder area
- Deformity under the skin
- Violaceous coloration or discoloration of the skin
- Cracking
- Inability to move the arm without pain
Severe pain is a common symptom.
Medical tests for shoulder fracture
The doctor will first take a general history to check your condition and mobility. He or she will also ask about how the injury occurred and what symptoms the patient has.
Next, he will take an X-ray of the man from different angles to determine the possible fracture. Gently moving the joint will let you know the severity of the injury and whether the shoulder is dislocated, fractured, or both.
In the event that the X-ray is not clear enough, a CT scan can be performed, which provides a three-dimensional and more detailed image.
What are the causes of a shoulder fracture?
A shoulder fracture, in most cases, is caused by trauma directly to the bone. This kind of fractures can be generated by the following reasons:
- Heavy falls
- Sudden force applied on an arm
- Traffic accidents
- A strong impact on the man during sports practice.
- In older people, due to osteoporosis
Can it be prevented?
In many cases, it is difficult to prevent. Even so, there is the possibility of following some recommendations that reduce the chances of suffering a fracture:
- Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Strengthen muscles
- Wearing a seat belt
- Use adequate protection when practicing sports
Treatments for shoulder fracture
In general, treatment of a shoulder fracture requires surgical intervention, although conservative options and minimally invasive surgical options such as arthroscopy should also be considered.
Treatment will vary depending on the number of fragments that have been dislodged from the bone and their displacement. In the simplest cases, a sling may be sufficient.
What specialist treats it?
Shoulder fractures are treated by a specialist in traumatology. You can find the specialist who best suits your needs in our medical directory Top Doctors.