There are few injuries that can stop you from going about your everyday routine as quickly as an injury to the shoulder, arms, wrists or hands. After all, we depend on our upper extremities to perform most of our everyday tasks, from playing sports to washing the dishes after supper. These kinds of injuries are known as upper extremity injuries and can frequently occur as a result of accidents or overuse.
Traumatic upper extremity injuries are usually caused by a sudden impact or forceful movement. These kinds of injuries can make it difficult to perform simple tasks without assistance and may take a long time to recover from. While severe injuries may require surgery, many traumatic upper extremity injuries can be effectively treated with physical therapy.
What are some examples of traumatic upper extremity injuries?
According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, over 3 million upper extremity injuries occur every year in the United States. It’s no wonder that physical therapists treat patients every day who have suffered from some sort of traumatic upper extremity injury. Here are five of some of the most common traumatic upper extremity injuries that physical therapists treat:
- Wrist fractures — Wrist fractures occur when the bones in the wrist become cracked or broken and are a very common injury. Many people suffer from wrist fractures as a result of using their hands to break a fall.
- Shoulder strains — Shoulder strains are very common injuries that can result from a sudden impact, such as during an automobile accident or playing contact sports such as football. Severe shoulder strain can result in a rotator cuff tear, which causes the shoulder tendon to tear from the bone.
- Lower arm fractures — The bones in our lower arm can become fractured as a result of an automobile accident or a sports accident. However, the most common cause of a lower arm fracture is falling.
- Biceps tendinitis — Biceps tendinitis occurs when the biceps muscle is strained due to a sudden impact or being pulled too forcefully in one direction. In severe cases, the biceps muscle can become disconnected from the bones of the arm.
- Elbow hyperextension — A joint can become hyperextended when it is stretched too far and too forcefully. This is a common injury among people who play sports such as tennis, racquetball and rugby.
What is the best way to treat a traumatic upper extremity injury?
If you have suffered from a traumatic upper extremity injury, it is important to seek medical attention. Thankfully, many of these injuries can be treated without the need for surgery. Physical therapy is an effective and safe treatment method for many injuries of the shoulder, arms, wrists and hands. A physical therapist can help to treat the pain from your injuries. They can also restore your mobility and prevent injuries from occurring in the future.
Our team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy have years of experience in helping patients recover from upper extremity injuries, as well as many other injuries and chronic conditions. Our goal is to help you get back to doing the things you enjoy by treating your pain and restoring your full mobility. A free screening at one of our many clinics can help us determine the best treatment methods for your needs.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
Our Locations
FAQ
Conditions Library
