Who is more prone to shoulder injuries? Greek study reveals all

Younger men who exercise regularly should be careful with the shoulder area as it is more prone to injury.

According to a Greek study published in the World Journal of Orthopedics, most shoulder dislocations are observed in young and active men aged 16-20 years. In contrast, the incidence in women increases after age 50, with the peak occurring in women aged 61 – 70.

As reported by the research group of Greek orthopedics, acute injuries in the shoulder area are common but depend on age, muscle strength, bone density and the type of event that causes them.

They also point out that understanding the different mechanisms of trauma and how they affect the functional anatomical structures of the shoulder joint plays an important role in the treatment of these injuries.

Regarding injuries, approximately 95% of shoulder dislocations are anterior, while posterior dislocations of the humerus account for about 2% – 5% of all traumatic shoulder dislocations.

On the other hand, proximal humerus fractures account for nearly 6% of all fractures in the Western world. 85% of cases involve people over the age of 50, with the highest incidence between the ages of 60 and 90 and a female-to-male ratio of 70:30.

Does sport increase the risk?

According to the results of the study, authored by Konstantinos Mastrantonakis, Athanasios Karvountzis, Christos Giannakopoulos and Georgios Kalinterakis from the Orthopedic Clinics of Rethymno Hospital, Athens Naval Hospital, University of Athens and Mediterraneo, shoulder injuries appear more commonly in athletes involved in high-energy contact sports such as rugby and hockey.

Different studies have pointed out that the mechanisms of repetitive movements of athletes in different sports lead to the burden of the soft tissue around the shoulder joint.

READ MORE: Streptococcus: Fatal cases cause concern – What Greeks experts advise.