Upper Body Injuries & How to Avoid and Treat Them
Upper body injuries (including some extremities) are some of the most commonly seen injuries in an emergency setting. The frequency of these injuries can increase as we age due to aging joints, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis to name a few.
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Accordingly, a certain level of treatment, followed by a strategic approach to management, is required to make a complete recovery from these kinds of injuries.
The following is a discussion of the definition of upper extremity injuries. We talk about the types of injuries that occur. And ways to help prevent, manage and treat such injuries.
Types of Upper Upper Body Injuries (and Extremity)
The finger is the most common upper extremity part to experience injury in the United States and be recorded as a hospital visit. Additionally, the most common type of injury of the upper extremity is a fracture.
While it would be impossible to list and discuss every type of upper extremity injury possible. Below are some of the most common upper body injuries (and extremities):
- Impinged Shoulder
- Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Separation
- Torn Rotator Cuff
- Broken Collarbone (Fractured Clavicle)
- Tennis Elbow (Elbow Tendon injuries)
- Broken Arm (Fracture of the Humerus, Ulna, or Radius)
- Finger Lacerations
- Torn Ligaments (of the biceps & triceps)
- Labral Tears
- Dislocated Shoulder
The causes, risk factors, symptoms, severity levels, and treatments vary greatly when discussing upper extremity and its corresponding injuries.
Ways to Avoid Injuries
With that said, the risk of many of these injuries can be greatly reduced by:
- improving posture
- increasing strength
- flexibility and mobility
- and consuming a healthy diet rich in calcium
- vitamin D, and other important micro and macronutrients
There are often times where an injury is uncontrollable, such as traumatic event, sporting accident, automobile collision, or accidental fall. But we can learn from some accidents in an effort to prevent them in the future.
In addition to accidents and trauma as we age we are more prone to get injuries. Especially in people who have degenerative issues such as types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. In these cases, it’s imperative to follow your doctor’s instructions as to the management protocol.
Treatment, Management, & Prevention
Managing severe upper extremity injuries require immediate treatment and often an opportunely-timed surgical procedure. Certainly, different types of upper extremity injuries will require different types of management, and in some cases, nonsurgical treatment is an alternative. Yet, many traumatic upper extremity injuries can only be treated surgically.
Some of the milder upper extremity injuries like frozen shoulder or tendonitis can be managed utilizing self-care treatments and physical therapy. These injuries also respond well to over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. In some cases, the temporary treatment with prescription muscle relaxers or pain relievers may be necessary in conjunction with a rehabilitation protocol and periods of rest over time.
There are multitudes of specific treatment and management methods due to the wide variety of injury types and severity levels of upper extremity injuries.
Care and Treatment for Upper Body Injuries
The following is a summary of some of the most common treatments for the most common upper body injuries:
- Surgery
- Medication
- Bone-Setting
- Laceration repairs
- Physical Therapy
- Rest & Recovery
- Slings and casts
If the injury isn’t that severe, at-home care treatments can be implemented to speed up the recovery process. Such treatments are as follows:
- Contrast Therapy (Heat & Ice)
- Rest
- Over-the-Counter Medicine for Pain Relief (ibuprofen and acetaminophen)
- Stretching and Mobility Exercises (Practiced with caution and at the discretion of a professional)
Each treatment depends on the severity and nature of the injury itself. When caring for an upper body injury it is important to follow you care providers instructions. This means following the right exercise, physical therapy, in addition to rest, heat and iace as prescribed.
Although going back to normal life may be enticing to those that are sidelined due to an injury, returning too early can simply result in further damage and prolong the healing process. A reasonable rule of thumb is that it takes at least six weeks for most injuries to heal adequately. Sometimes this period can even be longer, so always check with your doctor to be sure.
Final Thoughts on Upper Body Injuries
Upper extremity injuries or some of the most common injuries seen in the medical field. When you understand the many causes of such injuries, you are better able to avoid them. As well as learn how to care for them should they occur.
not only to exercise preventative measures but to know what to expect if such an unfortunate accident does occur.
Be sure to practice caution wherever you can, be proactive and preventative where you can, and trust your doctor if such an injury occurs.