Broken shoulders, which are also referred to as shoulder fractures, account for approximately 1 percent of all broken bones, report medical professionals at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center. This type of injury typically occurs in patients who sustain severe trauma to the shoulder area during a fall or vehicle crash. Symptoms of a broken shoulder can vary, based upon the exact location and severity of the shoulder trauma.
Pain
The most common symptom associated with a broken shoulder is pain. High-impact trauma can cause the shoulder bones to snap, which may cause an audible cracking sound. When this occurs, the injured bone can damage the tendons and tissues that surround the shoulder joint. Severe shoulder joint inflammation can lead to sensations of moderate to severe pain around the shoulder. These painful sensations typically occur immediately following injury and may radiate down the arm or into the back. Shoulder pain due to a broken shoulder is temporary and will subside as the injury begins to heal. A doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory pain medication to help affected patients manage pain levels while the injury heals.
Swelling
A patient can experience significant swelling of the shoulder following a traumatic injury. The broken shoulder can appear puffy or enlarged and may be tender to the touch. The skin surrounding the shoulder joint may appear discolored or bruised, due to blood vessel damage caused by the injury. As the broken shoulder begins to heal, the surrounding skin may remain discolored until the wound has healed completely. The damaged shoulder should be allowed to rest to allow swelling to diminish.
Shoulder Deformity
If the shoulder is broken due to trauma or injury, it may appear abnormally drooped or deformed. The arm connected to the damaged shoulder may hang lower than usual, giving the patient an awkward appearance. Once the damaged shoulder bones are set back into place, the shoulder can begin to heal. As the shoulder heals, symptoms of shoulder deformity typically resolve completely.
Restricted Shoulder Movement
Patients who sustain a broken shoulder can have significant difficulty moving the affected shoulder normally. A patient may be unable to move the broken shoulder voluntarily, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Involuntary movement of the shoulder by a doctor typically causes intense pain and may be accompanied by an unusual grinding sensation. Normal shoulder movement is typically restored once the broken shoulder completely heals.
