Causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Shoulder injuries are common and range from dislocations to fractures. Let us learn through the following lines about the causes of shoulder fractures, their symptoms, and methods of treatment.

Causes of shoulder fractures

 

The shoulder consists of 3 bones: the collarbone, the scapula, and the humerus. Any of the three bones can be broken as a result of a sudden, hard fall on the shoulder bones, or as a result of an accident.

Types of shoulder fractures are divided into:

 

     Broken clavicle

 

The clavicle is a long bone that connects the upper part of the sternum to the shoulder blade. A clavicle fracture can occur at any age, from newborns to the elderly.

 

     Fracture of the humerus

 

The humerus is the bone that connects the elbow and shoulder.

 

     Shoulder blade fracture

 

The scapula is a flat, triangular bone located in the upper back. A fracture of the scapula results from forceful contact during sports, such as football, or after a collision.

Symptoms of shoulder fractures

 

A person with shoulder fractures suffers from severe pain in the affected area, and this pain increases when trying to move the shoulder, in addition to swelling of the shoulder and the appearance of bruises.

Diagnosis of shoulder fractures

 

Shoulder fractures are diagnosed by x-ray imaging of the shoulder area to determine the location and type of the fracture. The types of x-rays used include:

 

     X ray.

     CT scan.

     Magnetic resonance imaging.

     Skeletal muscle ultrasound

 

Treatment of shoulder fractures

 

There are two treatment options:

 

     Non-surgical treatment if the broken bones are not displaced from their place is by wearing a shoulder sling to stabilize the bones until they heal completely.

     Surgical treatment in the event that the broken bones are displaced from their place, which includes returning the bones to their place and fixing them using screws and plates, and the surgeon may have to perform shoulder replacement surgery.

 

Surgical treatment is the last treatment method used due to the complications it may cause, including injury to nearby muscles.

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