Shoulder fractures, including greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus, surgical neck fractures of the humerus, scapular fractures, and acromioclavicular fractures. Partial or complete fracture of the shoulder bone due to trauma or pathological reasons. Violence directly acts on a certain part of the shoulder bone, causing fractures in that area, often accompanied by varying degrees of soft tissue damage. Indirect violence can cause fractures in distant areas through longitudinal conduction, leverage, or twisting. Long term, repeated, and minor direct or indirect injuries can cause fractures in a specific part of the limb. Patients may experience localized pain and tenderness in the fractured shoulder area, local swelling and bruising, loss of limb function or complete loss. Complete fractures may result in limb deformities and abnormal movement. The main treatment methods for shoulder fractures are conservative treatment and surgical treatment. The prognosis is related to multiple factors. Generally, the prognosis is good, but if not treated in a timely and sufficient manner, it can cause complications such as shock, fat embolism syndrome, compartment syndrome, pneumonia, pressure ulcers, lower limb deep vein thrombosis, infection, traumatic ossification, traumatic arthritis, joint stiffness, subacute bone atrophy, ischemic osteonecrosis, and ischemic muscle contraction.
Cause: The shoulder is the junction between the upper limb and the trunk, consisting of four joints connected by the upper end of the sternum, clavicle, scapula, and humerus - the coracoid joint, acromioclavicular joint, shoulder joint, and scapular thoracic wall joint. In the event of a fracture, significant traumatic violence can lead to simultaneous injuries to bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, etc., which can be caused by direct violence, indirect violence, and accumulated strain.
Symptoms: Fractures of the proximal humerus, scapula, and clavicle often have a clear history of trauma, and fractures of the proximal humerus can sometimes be accompanied by shoulder dislocation. The patient's pain is severe and their mobility is significantly restricted. If the diagnosis is clear, repeated stimulation of the fracture site should be avoided, and attention should be paid to whether there is damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Examination: The diagnosis of shoulder fracture mainly relies on physical examination and imaging examination. The purpose of a physical examination is to understand the location and extent of the injury, and to make a preliminary assessment of the condition. 2. Due to the overlap of lung images, X-ray examination of shoulder fractures is somewhat difficult, but multi plane X-rays can enable clinicians to accurately determine fractures and their displacement.
Diagnosis: Doctors diagnose shoulder fractures mainly based on medical history, typical symptoms, and imaging examinations. 1. History of trauma. 2. Typical symptoms include localized pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, partial or complete loss of limb function, and complete fractures may result in limb deformities and abnormal activity. 3. X-ray plain film: It is necessary to take anteroposterior and lateral films including adjacent joints, and if necessary, oblique, tangential or corresponding X-ray films of the healthy side should be taken to comprehensively understand the type and characteristics of the fracture.
Differential diagnosis: Some other diseases may also present symptoms such as localized pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, limb deformities, and abnormal activity, which are easily confused with shoulder fractures. These diseases include shoulder dislocation, proximal humeral fracture, purulent arthritis, etc. If similar symptoms as mentioned above occur, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly and have a doctor conduct an examination and diagnosis. Doctors mainly rule out other diseases and make diagnoses through physical examination and X-ray examination.
Treatment: The treatment methods for shoulder fractures include conservative treatment, surgical treatment, and functional exercise. After conservative treatment of shoulder fractures, the displaced fracture ends need to be restored to normal or close to their original normal positions. After fracture reduction, it is easy to experience re displacement, so different methods should be used to fix it in a satisfactory position and gradually heal it. The commonly used fixation methods include small splints, plaster bandages, external fixation brackets, traction and braking fixation, etc. This fixation method is called external fixation. 2. For patients with unsatisfactory or unsuccessful manual reduction, violent stimulation and repeated reduction are contraindicated, and open reduction and internal fixation surgery can be used.
Functional exercise: By contracting the muscles of the injured limb, it increases blood circulation in the surrounding tissues of the fracture, promotes fracture healing, and prevents muscle atrophy; By actively or passively moving joints that are not fixed, prevent joint adhesion, joint capsule contraction, etc., and enable the injured limb's function to recover as soon as possible.
Harm: Patients with shoulder fractures may experience local pain, swelling, deformities, restricted mobility, and other symptoms, which can affect their daily life and work. Complications of shoulder fractures include shock, fat embolism syndrome, compartment syndrome, pneumonia, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs, infection, traumatic ossification, traumatic arthritis, joint stiffness, subacute bone atrophy, ischemic osteonecrosis, ischemic muscle contraction, etc.
Prognosis: The treatment effect of shoulder fractures is related to multiple factors, such as age, the presence of complications, and basic physical condition. Overall, early and standardized treatment is of great significance for achieving satisfactory treatment outcomes.
Prevention: 1. Shoulder fractures are mainly caused by trauma, so paying attention to production and life safety is the key to prevention. 2. Exercise moderately to prevent falls. 3. Avoid the occurrence of violent behavior. 4. Pay attention to personal safety protection.