Contents
Any part of the shoulder, whether it be the neck, head of the humerus or anything else, is prone to damage. As a result, this is what provokes open or closed fractures. A fracture in the shoulder joint is determined by a violation of the integrity of the head, neck or tubercle of the humerus. Such a fracture is not rare, on average, it occurs in 15-20% of people. Most common in people aged 45 and older.
Shoulder fracture symptoms
The main signs of a fracture of the shoulder joint should be considered:
pain that becomes stronger with any movement – active or passive – in the shoulder joint;
the formation of edema in the place where the damage occurred;
an increase in the volume of the joint itself;
the presence of several bruises at the site of injury;
the final dysfunction of the upper limb, which leads to the inability to carry out any movements. This symptom is considered a manifestation of the late stage of fracture development.
The final diagnosis can only be made after an x-ray of the shoulder joint is performed.
Causes of a shoulder fracture
Shoulder fractures are most often formed as a result of the application of significant force from the external environment. It is worth noting that quite often such a force turns out to be serious precisely in the case when the bone-type tissue has already been broken. This greatly facilitates the process of formation of pathology. For example, a history of osteoporosis, which arose as a result of changes in the hormonal background, too little intake and absorption of calcium. This also explains the fact that fractures of the shoulder joint are most often formed in people after 50-55 years.
Depending on which point the force was applied to, a variety of anatomical structures in the area of the shoulder joint can be damaged.
It happens like this:
a fracture in the neck of the shoulder joint is formed due to a fall on a limb, shoulder or elbow area;
injury in the region of the tubercle of a given joint occurs as a result of a significant and sudden contraction of the muscle that is attached to this area;
a fracture of the body of the humerus is the result of a fall on a limb or a direct and strong blow.
Types of shoulder fractures
Shoulder fractures are of different types.
The main rules of this division are as follows:
clarification of the specific place in which the fracture occurred;
dysfunction of the axis of placement of fragments from the bone, that is, a fracture of the joint, either with or without displacement;
the presence or absence of any complications, for example, damage to nearby vascular as well as nerve endings.
Depending on the specific type of fracture, a subsequent algorithm for the treatment and management of the victim should be outlined. In this regard, the definition of a complete and correct diagnosis will be at least half the success.
Diagnostics
As part of the diagnosis, it is important to differentiate a fracture from, say, a sprain and determine the type of damage, and, therefore, the subsequent treatment. To do this, it is necessary to conduct an X-ray examination, which would indicate the type of fracture, and an examination by a specialist himself is also required.
If we talk about x-rays, it is very important that the pictures are taken at each stage of treatment, it is equally important that they cover the entire segment of the shoulder joint.
Shoulder fracture treatment
In terms of subsequent recovery, the prognosis will be much more favorable, moreover, when the lower, or distal fragment of the humerus cuts into the head. This case is more favorable, because with such a development of events, the risk of displacement or the occurrence of complications is greatly reduced. In this regard, it is possible to limit the fixation of the shoulder joint with a specific bandage (Deso). There is also no need for surgery. The fixation of the shoulder itself must be carried out in the allotted position; for this, a specific roller is placed between the shoulder area and the body itself.
To reduce pain sensations, it is necessary to introduce no more than 20 ml of novocaine into the hollow part of the joint, and from the next day the victim should carry out minimal movements with the injured limb.
Initially, these will be:
simple movements with each of the fingers;
from the third to the fifth day – movements in the wrist, as well as the elbow joint;
at the end of the second week, it will be necessary to develop the shoulder joint.
It is much more difficult to cure a fracture of the shoulder joint, which is accompanied by a displacement of the head of the bone. In this case, there is a need for an operation. In the process of its implementation, the head must be returned to its place, compared with the articular surface of the scapula region and fixed with sutures, which will dissolve on their own over time.
After that, all further actions are in many ways similar to those described earlier – fixation, a progressive increase in motor-type activity.
Prevention
As noted earlier, the development of the shoulder joint after a fracture is given in the treatment process is no less important than the fixation of the damaged limb. Considering that in the normal state, the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the entire human body, and movements are made in it in every plane, then in the event of a fracture, the task of specialists is not only to restore the integrity of the bone tissue structure, but also to return the maximum possible degree of mobility.
For this, doctors prescribe specific sets of exercises with support and additional items (balls, jump ropes). It is they that make it possible to smoothly and progressively increase not only the volume, but also the amplitude in the motor plan. The entire gymnastic complex should be selected exclusively by the attending physician.
Thus, a fracture of the shoulder joint is a rather complex injury, which, nevertheless, can be cured quickly enough with proper treatment.