Condition Lookup

Clavicle fracture

Symptoms:
pain over the clavicle; swelling; bruising; visible deformity; difficulty moving the arm; crepitus over the fracture site

Root Cause:
A break in the clavicle, typically caused by trauma such as a fall onto the shoulder, direct blow, or fall onto an outstretched hand.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, confirmed with imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans for more complex fractures.

Treatment:
Immobilization with a sling or figure-of-eight brace, pain management, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgical fixation with plates or screws.

Medications:
Pain relief is managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen . Severe pain may require opioids like codeine (short-term use).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals of all ages; accounts for 5–10% of all fractures.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contact sports, cycling, motor vehicle accidents, osteoporosis, and high-impact trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent in most cases, with proper treatment leading to complete healing. Complications may occur in severe or displaced fractures.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malunion, nonunion, neurovascular injury, shoulder stiffness, or chronic pain.

Shoulder dislocation (anterior, posterior)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Upper Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Shoulder Injuries

Symptoms:
severe shoulder pain; visible shoulder deformity; inability to move the shoulder; swelling; bruising; numbness or weakness in the arm

Root Cause:
Displacement of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa, often due to trauma, falls, or forceful arm movement. Anterior dislocations are more common than posterior.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, confirmed with X-rays or MRI to assess associated soft tissue damage.

Treatment:
Reduction (repositioning of the joint), followed by immobilization and physical therapy. Surgery may be required for recurrent dislocations or ligament damage.

Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ). Muscle relaxants like diazepam or methocarbamol can help reduce muscle spasms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for approximately 50% of all major joint dislocations, with anterior dislocations being the most common.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contact sports, previous shoulder dislocations, joint hypermobility, and high-energy trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment, but recurrence rates are high in young, active individuals.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent dislocations, labral tears, axillary nerve injury, rotator cuff damage, and joint arthritis.

Rotator cuff tears

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Upper Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Shoulder Injuries

Symptoms:
shoulder pain, especially at night; weakness in the shoulder; difficulty lifting or rotating the arm; cracking or popping sensation; limited range of motion

Root Cause:
Partial or complete tear of the tendons forming the rotator cuff, often due to overuse, degeneration, or acute injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging studies such as ultrasound, MRI, or X-rays with contrast (arthrogram).

Treatment:
Rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications for mild cases; surgical repair for severe or chronic tears.

Medications:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. Corticosteroid injections may be used for persistent inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Increases with age; occurs in 10–25% of individuals over 60 years. Common in athletes and individuals with repetitive overhead activities.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, repetitive overhead activities, heavy lifting, trauma, smoking, and poor blood supply to the tendons.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies based on severity; small tears often respond well to conservative treatment, but larger tears may require surgery and have prolonged recovery times.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent shoulder pain, weakness, stiffness, loss of function, and arthritis in chronic untreated cases.