As Women Age, Shoulder Injuries Become More Common

Women are more prone to certain types of shoulder injuries as they age.

According to Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified, shoulder fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy, older women experience metabolic changes. As that happens, osteoporosis can set in.

Osteoporosis can lead to falls, and that is when patients check in with Dr. Gasbarro about a possible shoulder injury. He noted that he sees a lot of clavicle fractures and injuries to tendons in the shoulder.

Another common injury as people age is proximal humerus fractures—a break at the top of the arm bone. Rotator cuff injuries are also frequent.

“If it’s a posture-type injury, if we’re using our cellphones and looking down a lot, people will come to my office and complain of pain at the top of the shoulder radiating down from the neck,” Dr. Gasbarro said. “If it’s a true shoulder injury, we typically see it along the side of the shoulder, down the arm, toward the elbow, and patients can get confused thinking, ‘Well, this is arm pain. It’s not shoulder pain.’ But in reality, if you have a rotator cuff injury, you’re going to have pain that goes down the arm. And it’s worse, typically, with movement.”

Shoulder injuries may require surgery. In some cases, that means using a sling, doing physical therapy, and eventually working on strengthening. The entire process takes around five to six months, but sometimes longer.

It’s important to maintain posture by strengthening muscles in the upper back and the muscles around shoulders, Dr. Gasbarro said. Simple exercises can go a long way to prevent an injury.

View Mercy orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro’s interview regarding prevention of shoulder injuries.