Shoulder Fracture
Definition
Incidence
Symptoms
Evaluation
Treatment
questions for doctor
specialist
Home Care
pain in adults
pain in children
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Underlying Cause
Anatomy
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Shoulder Fracture Home Care
Home care for a shoulder fracture includes:
Apply cold compresses:
Wrap ice in a moist hand towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours, for the first few days.
Rest the injury:
Wear a sling or shoulder immobilizer as directed.
Long term immobilization in a sling can lead to
frozen shoulder
.
If you wear a shoulder sling for longer than two weeks make sure you perform shoulder range of motion exercises twice a day to avoid
frozen shoulder
.
Physical therapy will play a major role in avoiding
frozen shoulder
.
Perform exercises for shoulder fracture:
As directed by your doctor
Take prescribed medications as directed.
Acetaminophen
for pain
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
for pain:
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Ketoprofen
Continue to
Shoulder Fracture Home Care: Pain In Adults
Related Topics:
Rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Shoulder A-C separation
Shoulder bursitis
Shoulder contusion
Shoulder dislocation
Shoulder injury
Shoulder sprain
Shoulder tendinitis
More...
Shoulder injury
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Last Updated: Aug 1, 2008
References
Authors:
Stephen J. Schueler, MD
;
John H. Beckett, MD
;
D. Scott Gettings, MD
Copyright 1989-2008
DSHI Systems, Inc.
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Shoulder Fracture References:
Ameh V, Crane S. Nerve injury following shoulder dislocation: the emergency physician's perspective. Eur J Emerg Med. 2006 Aug;13(4):233-5.
Emond M, Le Sage N, Lavoie A, Rochette L. Clinical factors predicting fractures associated with an anterior shoulder dislocation. Acad Emerg Med. 2004 Aug;11(8):853-8
Flinkkila T, Hyvonen P, Siira P, Hamalainen M. Recovery of shoulder joint function after humeral shaft fracture: a comparative study between antegrade intramedullary nailing and plate fixation. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2004 Oct;124(8):537-41.
Ide J, Honda K, Takagi K. Posterior dislocation of the shoulder associated with fracture of the humeral anatomical neck with 11-year follow-up after early open reduction and internal fixation. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2003 Apr;123(2-3):118-20.
Lim KE, Wang CR, Chin KC, Chen CJ, Tsai CC, Bullard MJ. Concomitant fracture of the coracoid and acromion after direct shoulder trauma. J Orthop Trauma. 1996;10(6):437-9.
Safran MR. Nerve injury about the shoulder in athletes, part 1: suprascapular nerve and axillary nerve. Am J Sports Med. 2004 Apr-May;32(3):803-19.
Serin E, Karatosun V, Balci C, Koseoglu HC, Ersoy HH. Two-prong splint in the treatment of proximal humeral fracture. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1999;119(7-8):368-70.
Shao YC, Harwood P, Grotz MR, Limb D, Giannoudis PV. Radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus: a systematic review. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005 Dec;87(12):1647-52.
