Anatomy

The shoulder is formed of 3 bones:

Scapula (shoulder blade)

Clavicle (collar bone)

Humerus (arm bone)

These bones ar joined along by soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joint capsule) to make a platform for the arm to figure.

The shoulder is formed of 3 joints:

Glenohumeral joint

Acromioclavicular joint

Sternoclavicular joint

The shoulder conjointly has one articulation, that is that the relationship between the os (shoulder blade) and also the chest wall.

The main joint of the shoulder is that the glenohumeral joint. This joint includes a ball (the humeral head) on a golf-tee-shaped joint (the glenoid of the scapula). The bones of the shoulder ar lined by many layers of sentimental tissues. The top layer is that the musculus deltoideus, a muscle simply to a lower place the skin, which provides the shoulder a rounded look. The musculus deltoideus helps to bring the arm overhead. Directly to a lower place the musculus deltoideus is sub-deltoid bursa, a fluid-filled sac, analogous to a water balloon.

Types of Shoulder Fractures

Shoulder fractures is non-displaced (when the bones keep within the correct position) or displaced (when items of the bone ar broken and fragments have detached of position).

Non-displaced fractures ar the foremost common and structure concerning eighty p.c of shoulder fractures. These sorts of fractures ar usually treated mistreatment nonsurgical  strategies. Displaced fractures might need surgery to line up the bones.

Types of shoulder fractures include:

Clavicle fractures: called the clavicle, the bone is that the long, skinny bone settled at the bottom of the neck.

Humerus fractures: The arm bone is that the higher os longum that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.

Scapula fractures: called the shoulder bone, the os could be a flat, triangular bone settled within the higher back. The glenoid (the socket of the shoulder joint) could be a a part of the os. These fractures ar related to falls or motorized vehicle collisions and should lead to shoulder dislocation or shoulder instability.

If you expertise any of the subsequent symptoms, see a Penn orthopedical specialist to work out if you’ve got broken your shoulder:

Shoulder pain

Swelling or bruising within the shoulder space

Tenderness, pain to the bit, redness

Your shoulder sounds like it’s slithering out of the socket (shoulder instability)

Your shoulder appearance ill-shapen or looks out of place

Cause

Fractures

Fractures of the bone or the proximal arm bone is caused by an immediate blow to the world from a fall, collision, or motorized vehicle accident.

Because the os is protected by the chest and encompassing muscles, it’s not simply broken. Therefore, fractures of the os ar typically caused by high-energy trauma, like a high speed motorized vehicle accident. os fractures ar usually related to injuries to the chest.

Shoulder Dislocations

Anterior dislocations of the shoulder ar caused by the arm being forcefully twisted outward (external rotation) once the arm is on top of the extent of the shoulder. These injuries will occur from many alternative causes, together with a fall or an immediate blow to the shoulder.

Posterior dislocations of the shoulder are abundant less common than anterior dislocations of the shoulder. Posterior dislocations usually occur from seizures or electrical shocks once the muscles of the front of the shoulder contract and forcefully tighten.

Shoulder Separations

Dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint is caused by a fall onto the shoulder or from lifting significant objects. The term “shoulder separation” isn’t very correct, as a result of the joint dislocated is really not truth enarthrodial joint.

What do I need to do the day of surgery?
If you currently take any medications, take them the day of your surgery with just a sip of water.
Do not wear any jewelry, body piercing, makeup, nail polish, hairpins or contacts.
Leave valuables and money at home.
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.

How are shoulder fractures treated?
Treatment depends on which of the three bones has become fractured:

Clavicle (collarbone) fractures – These fractures are usually treated without surgery. Surgery is required when a fracture has broken through the skin or the bone is out of place. It is fixed with plates, screws or rods inside the bone.
Proximal humerus (arm bone) fractures – Most fractures of the proximal humerus are left without surgery if the bones are not displaced. If they are out of position, surgery is necessary and involves fixation of the fracture fragments with plates, screws, or pins. In some cases, it involves shoulder replacement.
Scapula (shoulder blade) fractures – Most are treated without surgery. Treatment includes using a sling, icing and pain medications. Fractures that need surgery usually have fracture fragments involving the shoulder joint, or there is an additional fracture of the collarbone. Surgery includes plates and screws for fixation.

What happens after surgery?
We will ensure that you are comfortable and that you have adequate shoulder pain relief. You will receive prescriptions, etc., and your arm will be rested in a sling. Your surgeon and/or physical therapist will let you know whether any exercises are required.

Complications
Patients with diabetes, the elderly individuals and people who make use of tobacco products are at a greater risk of developing complications both during and after the surgery. In addition to the risks that occur with any major surgery, certain specific risks of clavicle fracture surgery include difficulty in bone healing, lung injury and irritation caused by hardware.

Recovery
Shoulder fractures may leave a patient with permanent shoulder stiffness, regardless of how well the bones were repaired or joint replacement performed. Recovery may require the use of physical therapy to assist in improving motion and strength. Consult your physician for the best option.