You have probably seen plenty of headlines about injuries that happen to people during their day-to-day lives. Thankfully, while an injury is the most common type of calamity in this world, people can do many simple things to ensure they don’t suffer the same fate. You can always consult an Upper Extremity Specialist if you suffer from a shoulder injury to get it cured at the earliest.
What can cause a shoulder injury?
- If you use your shoulders to lift heavy objects improperly or without proper body mechanics, you could injure your tendons or muscles. Athletes who participate in any sports such as softball and baseball can also suffer shoulder injuries due to accidents on the field. Injuries can also be caused by car accidents, falls, and even simple trips and bumps from the sidewalk.
- Shoulder injuries can happen at any age, including children and teens. Shoulder injuries are the third most common type of injury among high school athletes like football and basketball. Research shows that some people can develop shoulder injuries stretching their bodies incorrectly.
- Most people sit with their backs hunched and their shoulders rounded forward. This position places unnecessary stress on the muscles and ligaments of the back, neck, and shoulder region. By improving your stance, you can reduce the risk of shoulder problems.
Types of Shoulder Injuries
Rotator cuff tears and Labral tears are the most common type of shoulder injuries. Rotator cuff tears are caused mainly by falls, sports injuries, and accidents. Labral tears are most commonly caused by wear and tear over time or by previous injuries. The injuries mentioned above can be due to falls or sports accidents.
Prevention
There are easy ways to prevent shoulder injuries such as:
- Stretch your shoulders regularly.
- Increase your range of motion by ensuring that you’re not bending or rotating your shoulders when you lift or carry things.
- Lift and carry items correctly.
- Take at least a day off per week to rest while working on your flexibility and range of motion.
Treatment
- Do physical therapy for your shoulder injury.
- Avoid heavy lifting; switch to lighter objects if you must lift something.
- Rest your shoulder injury for at least twenty-four hours after the injury occurs.
- Seek medical attention if your injuries are severe or haven’t improved after several weeks of rest and physical therapy.
Many shoulder problems can be treated with rehab, rest, and physical therapy. However, if pain persists despite these efforts, you may need surgery to fix the injury.
