Injuries to the elbow, shoulder or wrist are common winter injuries - they happen, among others, due to falls on slippery pavements. Why are these parts of the body at risk of being injured when falling? An expert, Dr. Tomasz J. Kowalski, an orthopedist and traumatologist from the Carolina Medical Center, explains how to recognize a wrist, elbow or shoulder injury as a result of a fall, and advises what to do.

It would seem that the lower limbs suffer the most from slipping on the pavement. However, this is not always the case - injuries to the elbow, shoulder and wrist are among the equally common consequences of winter falls.

- In the area of ​​the upper limb, bone injuries dominate, especially - fracture of the distal epiphysis of the radius and the head of the humerus, along with injuries of the soft tissues - says Tomasz J. Kowalski, MD, PhD, orthopedist and traumatologist from the Carolina Medical clinic A center that specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery.

- When a person stumbles, they instinctively stretch out their arms to prevent the body from falling. The weight of the body suddenly falls on the wrists, which transmit these loads to the shoulder girdle. And the fracture of the humerus head is the third most common fracture in the skeletal system in the elderly. In patients over 50, tendons are also often ruptured - adds the expert.

Injury of the wrist after a fall

A fall causeswrist injuries , including fractures of the distal epiphysis of the radius and scaphoid. Each of these injuries can result from falling on an outstretched arm. These injuries are manifested by swelling and pain in the wrist, a symptom of a fracture of the distal epiphysis of the radius is also a deformation and bruising of the wrist area.

If the fracture is not displaced, the treatment consists of immobilizing the limb in an orthosis or cast for 4-6 weeks (radius) or 6-12 weeks (scaphoid bone), as well as rehabilitation. If a displaced fracture has occurred, it is necessary to surgically adjust the broken bone and fix it with the use of stabilizing elements - plates and screws.

Elbow injury after falling

The most commonelbow injuryafter a fall is a fracture of the head of the boneradial and fracture of the elbow. The head of the radial bone may be fractured as a result of falling on a straightened, twisted arm at the elbow. Its symptom is pain on the side of the elbow, which increases when you try to rotate the forearm or wrist.

Treatment - as long as the fracture is not displaced - consists in short-term (1 to 2 weeks) immobilization in an orthosis or plaster splint, and rehabilitation. If displacement has taken place, the broken bone must be surgically adjusted (including fixation with a plate and screws), sometimes a radial head prosthesis is necessary.

A fracture of the elbow can occur when falling directly on the elbow. The injury is accompanied by swelling and pain in the back of the elbow, which increases when you try to bend the arm. In most cases, the treatment consists of surgical adjustment and anastomosis with the use of, for example, stabilizing loops.

Collarbone Injury After Fall

A fall may also result incollarbone injury . A collarbone fracture may occur, which is usually the result of a direct fall on the shoulder, and less often - on an extended arm. In this case, there is swelling, bruising and distortion above the collarbone, and additionally - pain (also in the shoulder when trying to move).

If the displacement of the collarbone shaft is small, it is treated conservatively in an orthosis for approx. 6 weeks, rehabilitation is also recommended. In the case of larger displacements or fractures in the distal clavicle area, surgical treatment is necessary.

Dislocation of the shoulder-clavicular joint, which may occur as a result of a direct fall on the shoulder, can also be injured in this part of the body. Symptoms of dislocation of the shoulder-clavicular joint are deformation above the shoulder or collarbone, change of contours or lack of symmetry of the shoulders, pain - also with shoulder movements. Joint subluxations are treated conservatively by immobilization in a sling for about 4 weeks, while dislocations - by stabilizing the collarbone surgically.

Fall injury - when is this a cause for concern?

Should a fall injury worry? If no disturbing symptoms appear in the next two days - or if they are mild and go away on their own - then there is nothing to worry about. However, there are symptoms that warn you to see your doctor right away.

- I would list three types of such symptoms - says Tomasz J. Kowalski, MD, PhD. - First - is the feeling that "something broke" or "jumped" during the fall. The second - if severe pain prevents the limb from moving. Third - if we notice any deformation of the limb or shoulder. InIn such cases, it is worth going on an orthopedic duty.

Reaction time is very important. If the doctor suspects a fracture, he or she will refer the patient to an X-ray examination, and if he suspects a tendon injury, an ultrasound examination (X-ray does not detect such injuries).

- Why is time so important? Since the tendons will not have time to contract, they will be easier to suture - thanks to this, there is a greater chance of full healing. As much as 75 percent fractures of the humerus can be successfully treated inoperable, e.g. by using immobilization in the form of a sling - provided, however, that the patient reports to a doctor quickly - explains Tomasz J. Kowalski, MD, PhD.

If there is neither a fracture nor a rupture of the tendons - the doctor may recommend rehabilitation aimed at "activating" the muscles.

Fall injury - how to reduce the risk?

Can the risk of a fall injury be reduced? We have no influence on the random ones, but the expert reminds that: - - The more a person cares about his physical fitness, the better he can cope even in such an unpredictable situation - says Dr. Tomasz J. Kowalski, MD, PhD. - The trained muscular system of an active person will be able to balance better during a fall - the body "learns" to fall in the least severe way. - he explains.

Source: press materials

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