If you’re an athlete or you simply enjoy being active, risk of injury is a part of your daily life. One simple fall on your side, however, can dramatically change your active routine. To better protect yourself, it is important to know which parts of your upper extremities are more vulnerable to injury.
3 parts of your upper extremities that tend to be injured
Many upper extremity injuries occur due to a fall onto an outstretched arm. According to a national survey, the most common of these injuries that appear in emergency rooms is a fracture. Here are some of the most common places you may be injured:
- Hand and wrists — Your hand and wrist are made of 27 small bones. They work together to provide a wide range of motion. According to a medical survey, nearly 9% of all the sports injuries are hand or wrist injuries. Injuries like tendinitis can occur due to overstretched tendons, and fractures can occur due to sudden impact.
- Shoulders — Shoulders are typically injured due to repetitive use, especially in sports such as baseball, basketball and football. Repetitive use can lead to injuries such as a rotator cuff tear. This results in pain, swelling and a limited ability to move the arm.
- Elbows — Your elbows are particularly prone to injury because of their position. Since they jut out from the body, they can easily become injured. The elbow muscles can also be strained easily, causing tendinitis. This injury is especially common among tennis and golf players.
Back in Motion can help you prevent and address upper extremity injuries
Seeing our physical therapists before an injury happens can help strengthen your body and joints. Understanding your body’s needs before injury can also help you avoid invasive and expensive procedures down the road. If and when minor injuries occur, they can often be treated with rest. However, more severe injuries can worsen over time and result in chronic pain.
You may need to see a medical professional or physical therapist if your injury doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, or if you experience a limited range of motion, swelling, or tingling. When in doubt, give our office a call.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.