Protocol for Shoulder Fracture Therapy

Shoulder fracture is the term used to describe any broken bone within the shoulder joint. It may include a broken shoulder blade (scapula), clavicle (collar bone) or proximal humerus (upper arm bone). These injuries can occur as a partial or total breaking of the affected bone. The protocol for therapy or treatment of a shoulder fracture varies with the bone involved in the injury.

Understanding Shoulder Fracture

• According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, fractures of the proximal humerus and clavicle are typically the result of direct impact from a collision, fall or motor vehicle accident. Your scapula is much more protected than either of these bones, and breaking it usually requires the sort of high-energy trauma found in high-speed crashes. If you experience a shoulder fracture, your symptoms will commonly include pain, immobility, swelling, bruising and obvious physical deformity.

Collar Bone Fracture

• If your fracture your clavicle, treatment will vary with the severity of the break. If your bone is only broken in one place, you may be treated effectively with nonsurgical options, such as rest, shoulder immobilization, cold treatments and pain medication. However, your may need surgery if your clavicle is broken in more than one place, sticks out through your skin or is otherwise severely displaced. If this is the case, your surgeon will return your clavicle to its normal position and hold it in place with screws, rods or plates.

Shoulder Blade Fracture

• If you fracture your shoulder blade, you will probably be able to avoid surgery. Typically, your doctor will keep your shoulder immobilized with the use of a sling or a special immobilizing device. He will also apply cold treatments and prescribe painkilling medications. If you are in the 10 percent to 20 percent of people who require surgery, you will typically have a fracture that extends up into your shoulder joint, or have a broken clavicle in addition to your scapula. During surgery, your surgeon will fix your broken scapula in place with screws and plates.

Humerus Fracture

• If your fracture your proximal humerus, surgery will typically not be needed if your arm is not displaced from its normal position. If you do require surgery, your humerus will be put back in position and held in place with screws, pins or plates. In some cases, your injury may be severe enough to require surgical replacement of your broken bone.

Recovery

• Whether your treatment is surgical or nonsurgical, you will require an extended period of recovery that involves immobilization followed by rehabilitation through physical therapy. Depending on the severity of your injury, this period may vary from a few weeks to a few months. Shoulder exercises during your rehabilitation will focus on decreasing your post-treatment stiffness and restoring your natural range of motion, strength and flexibility. Consult your doctor, surgeon or physical therapist for more details on your potential treatment and recovery options.