There are several categories of injuries that may affect your shoulder or elbow. Let’s take a quick look at three primary types of injuries and then look a little closer at one of them and how it can impact certain occupations.
- Acute injuries include falling from a standing position to the ground or from a higher surface, such as falling off a roof, out of a deer stand, or off a ladder. Some acute injuries need immediate medical attention at an emergency room, while others can wait to be seen in our office.
- Trauma injuries include car or motorcycle accidents, pedestrians hit by a car, hunting accidents, or other injuries from a gun or knife. Many trauma patients will be taken to the emergency room for immediate care, but some less severe trauma injuries may be treatable in our office.
- Repetitive stress injuries include those that happen over time from daily wear and tear on the joints, tendons, or muscles. This can happen because of the repeat motions required for certain occupations, recreational sports and activities, and even just daily living in some cases.
Certain occupations—especially people who work with their arms raised overhead frequently—have a higher risk of shoulder and elbow issues. In addition to certain professional athletes, this also may include hair stylists, mechanics, painters, electrical workers, military personnel, police officers, and even truck drivers, who frequently use their upper body to pull up into the cab of a truck. Nurses and physical therapists are also at increased risk of shoulder and elbow injury because of lifting or moving patients.
So what’s the best way to avoid shoulder or elbow issues if working in one of these occupations? The first step is to examine your work environment and look for opportunities to minimize repetitive stress on your joints. Hair stylists may want to adjust the chair height to minimize strain on the shoulder, while someone working in a stock room and reaching for boxes on a higher shelf may want to use a step ladder instead of constantly reaching overhead. For mechanics or painters, look for ways to modify equipment or adjust your work environment to reduce stress. It’s also helpful to take breaks, even short ones, whenever possible.
If you start experiencing pain or discomfort from an occupational activity, you may not need to see a specialist immediately. Try the RICE method first: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Also, try to identify the triggers for the pain or discomfort. Does it only happen with a particular motion? After a specific amount of use? Do what you can to take a break from the activity that is causing pain and see if the pain goes away. You can also try a basic over-the-counter splint to temporarily immobilize the joint to help with resting. If using a splint or brace and the pain lasts more than a week, contact us for an appointment. It is important to not immobilize your shoulder or elbow for an extended period of time to avoid stiffness.
For some patients with repetitive stress or even acute injuries, physical therapy may be helpful. In Oklahoma, patients have direct access to physical therapy as a treatment option, which means you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physical therapist unless required by your insurance. However, we can often work as a team with your therapist to optimize your treatment plan.
If modifying your environment, resting, or avoiding movements that trigger pain hasn’t resolved your shoulder or elbow concerns, contact the Oklahoma Shoulder Center today to schedule an appointment.
By Oklahoma Shoulder Center PLLC
February 1, 2017
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