Shoulder Injury Inquiry
I am a 36-year-old male, standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. Approximately three days ago, while kayaking in turbulent waters, I collided forcefully with a rock, resulting in significant discomfort in the upper region of my shoulder immediately after the incident. The following day, I visited an urgent care facility where a physician assessed my condition and reported that the X-ray images revealed no signs of fractures. Out of curiosity, I ran the X-ray pictures through an AI tool, which surprisingly indicated with 95% certainty that I might have a midshaft fracture. While I remain skeptical of AI diagnoses, I felt it was prudent to seek a second opinion for peace of mind. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 11:50:33 PM
OpenHealth AI
Based on your description, it's great that you sought medical attention right after your injury and had X-rays taken. While an AI tool suggested a potential fracture, the fact that a physician reviewed your X-rays and found no evidence of fractures is reassuring. That said, you might still be experiencing discomfort due to other issues like soft tissue injuries (e.g., sprains, strains) or inflammation around the shoulder area.
Understanding Your Situation
When you experience significant trauma like a collision with a rock, it’s normal to feel pain and discomfort, even if no fractures are present. Soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, can sustain injuries that may take time to heal. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving your shoulder.
Recommended Next Steps
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Rest and Avoid Aggravating Activities: Limit the use of your shoulder and avoid activities that may cause pain, especially heavy lifting or overhead movements.
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Ice Therapy: Apply ice packs to your shoulder for 15-20 minutes every few hours to reduce swelling and ease pain. Always wrap ice in a cloth to protect your skin.
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Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, if you have no contraindications. These can help with both pain and inflammation.
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Gentle Range of Motion Exercises: After a few days of rest, and if pain allows, start gentle stretching and range of motion exercises. This can prevent stiffness and promote healing. Avoid any movements that cause sharp pain.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms over the next few days. If you notice increased swelling, severe pain, or if you experience issues like numbness or weakness in your arm, seek further medical evaluation.
When to Seek Further Evaluation
If after a week your symptoms do not improve or worsen, it may be worth getting another opinion, possibly with additional imaging like an MRI, which can provide more detail about soft tissue injuries.
I hope these steps provide you with clarity and reassurance. Take care of your shoulder, and feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need additional guidance.
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