Fractures at the top part of the shoulder are very common.
The risk of fracturing the shoulder increases with age for various reasons:
- Increase in balance issues with age
- More common to have osteoporosis
- Lack of physical activity leading to weaker muscles in the winter
- Increased number of people over the age of 65 with osteoporosis
How do the above lead to more fractures?
The more inactive you are, the weaker your muscles become because of disuse. When your muscles are weak, your balance becomes affected which increases your risk of falling. Then there is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis involves a decrease in new bone formation while the body is continuing to break down bone. This results in more brittle bones and a more increased risk of fracture when a fall occurs.
How do you know that you may have a shoulder fracture?
- Swelling in the shoulder
- Inability to move your arm
- Audible grinding in the shoulder
- “Something doesn’t feel right” or deformity in the shoulder
- Weakness and heaviness in the arm
What do you do? What can you expect post fracture?
If you answered yes to most of the above then you should go to get an x-ray right away. The doctor will be able to tell you if the shoulder will be non-surgical vs. surgical. If the shoulder does not require surgery then you will be placed in a sling from four to six weeks until the fracture is mostly healed. At that point you will be cleared for physical therapy to begin. When you have your evaluation with the therapist, the PT will be able to devise a safe exercise program with the initial goal of returning to full range of motion. Once mobility has returned and the fracture is completely healed, strengthening followed by functional exercises can begin. The goal is to get you back to normal daily activities as well as any other recreational activities that you had been unable to do without pain.
