Shoulder Fracture

Shoulder Fracture

A common cause of shoulder joint damage is fracture. There are options available to help reduce your risk.

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shoulder fracture

Overview

Sometimes an injury causes a shoulder bone to break or partially crack. The fracture usually involves the collarbone (clavicle) or the area just below the ball of the upper arm bone (humerus). The cause is often a sudden blow to the shoulder or a bad fall.

two female patients doing yoga post shoulder surgery

Reducing Your Risk

There are a variety of common factors which make a person vulnerable to a shoulder fracture. Falls are the leading cause of injuries in people 65 and older in the United States.1

HELPFUL LINKS

Understanding Shoulder Anatomy

Understanding Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder joint has the largest range of motion out of all the joints in the body. This flexibility allows you to hit a backhand swing in tennis or stretch to reach something on a top shelf. The shoulder also helps you position your hands for movements such as waving goodbye or using the mouse on your computer.

male elderly patient playing basketball with grandchildren post shoulder arthroscopy

Shoulder Replacement

Whether or not to have shoulder replacement surgery is a difficult decision. Discussing your treatment options with your doctor is essential to helping you decide if this is the right choice for you. Learning more about shoulder replacement surgery can help you to formulate the questions you would like to ask your doctor.

female patient post shoulder arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthroscopy

The diagnosis and treatment of shoulder joint problems have improved greatly since a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy was developed. Arthroscopy allows a surgeon to see inside the shoulder and to carry out procedures through tiny incisions.

References

1. https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/ Accessed June 11, 2019.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. The performance of shoulder replacements depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. If you have conditions that limit rehabilitation you should not have this surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can tell you if shoulder replacement is right for you.

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