fractures

moving me forward™

Your movement may be limited, but your options don't have to be. See how other patients conquered their pain and get started on your own journey to recovery.

Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski
Inspirational college coach and DePuy joint recipient.

watch a pep-talk from Coach Kread Coach K's story

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"It's not worth living with pain."

http://prod.depuy.edgesuite.net/patients/media/depuy_intro.mp4
http://prod.depuy.edgesuite.net/patients/media/depuy_intro.mp4
"It's not worth living with pain."

patient journeys: Shoulder

Laszlo’s Journey

Laszlo’s Journey

My new mantra: shoulder pain no more.

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read Coach K's story

"Hi, I'm Mike Krzyzewski, coach of Duke University's Men's Basketball team. If you could take a journey to move better, live better, why wouldn't you? I did when I had joint replacement surgery.

"I'm here to tell you that you have two opponents. Pain and lack of mobility. Pain can get you down every day. Lack of mobility can lead to decreased speed and loss of endurance. With speed and endurance loss, you don't stay competitive and you spend energy just trying to catch up. But you've got to fight your opponents to stay in the game.

"I know it isn't always easy. There was a part of me that thought of stopping, giving up coaching altogether. I would never have won two Olympic team medals and four NCAA Championships if I hadn't had my surgeries.

"Now, I don't have to overcompensate for injury and pain. I'm more active than before, I have relief from pain and I'm even quicker on my feet. People say I look better now. Do you want your life back the way it should be? You have two choices, a continued downward spiral or take action.

"So don't let the injury win. You don't need to live in pain. That's why I want to encourage you to empower yourself. Get educated, develop a personal treatment plan with your doctor, build a team of support and commit to reclaiming your life. Remember, this is a major event in your life—treat it as such. What you put into it will multiply for you at the end of the journey."
 

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what is a fracture?

Sometimes an injury causes a shoulder boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... to completely or partially crack. The fracture usually involves the collarbone (clavicleclavicleThe collarbone.) or the area just below the ball of the upper arm bone (humerushumerusThe bone of the arm, articulating with the scapula above and the radius and ulna below.). The cause is often a sudden blow to the shoulder or a bad fall. PainPainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibe... follows, and the patient may be able to see his or her shoulder bones out of position.

Shoulder Fractures

Fractures are either "displaced" or "nondisplaced":

  • A displaced fracture is a bone fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break are out of line
  • When the broken pieces line up on each side of the break, the fracture is called nondisplaced

Nearly 80% of all shoulder fractures are nondisplaced—the broken pieces remain in place while they heal. Fortunately, the broken pieces do not have to be perfectly aligned for them to heal properly or for the shoulder to function properly. Some degree of displacement may be acceptable for proper healing.

The remaining 20% are displaced and may require surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula....

How is a shoulder fracture diagnosed and treated?

After a physical examination of the shoulder, the physician will confirm the diagnosis with an x-rayx-rayAn X-ray is a painless process that uses radioactive materials to take pictures of bone. If your doctor suspec.... This also will show the extent of the damage.

The doctor will attempt to place the broken bones back into a position that will allow healing and help restore mobility. The patient may need to wear a sling to immobilize the area while it heals. Most fractures can be treated without surgery, and heal in about 3 to 4 months.

In some cases, the doctor may suggest further treatment, including surgery and physical therapyphysical therapyThe treatment consisting of exercising specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms, hands or neck, in an... to help you restore shoulder function, strength, and mobility.

The choices in surgery are several and depend on the type of fracture.

What can patients expect long term?

Since most shoulder fractures are the nondisplaced type, patients could recover good function in their shoulders. Since these injuries are treated with immobilization, however, they may develop a stiff or "frozen" shoulder.

Displaced fractures may require surgery in order to regain good function of the shoulder.

May 15 2012 - 19:17:49