Fractures of the Shoulder Area

What is a fracture of the shoulder area?

The shoulder joint is made up of three different bones including the clavicle (collar bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone). A break in any of these bones is referred to as a fractured shoulder. This can affect one or more of these bones and can be caused by any trauma to the shoulder joint. These injuries can range in severity and are usually classified as being “displaced” or “non-displaced.” A non-displaced shoulder fracture results in a break in one of the bones that does not alter the alignment of the bone, while a displaced fracture is an injury where the bones become improperly aligned. Any shoulder fracture can be very painful and should be evaluated by a knowledgeable specialist. Dr. Joseph Lamplot, orthopedic shoulder specialist, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who have experienced a fractured shoulder.

What are the symptoms of a fractured shoulder?

While the symptoms of a fractured shoulder can vary depending on the severity of the injury, the most common symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the region of the injury that increases with movement or if touched (palpated)
• Swelling and bruising
• “grinding” or “clicking” sensation when moving the shoulder
• Limited range of motion. Some patients may not be able to move their shoulder or arm without pain.

How do I know if I have a shoulder fracture?

Any patient that experiences symptoms associated with a shoulder fracture must be evaluated soon after experiencing the injury. Dr. Lamplot will carefully evaluate the patient’s medical history as well as recent physical activity, sports, or injuries. This is important to allow Dr. Lamplot to properly diagnose the patient’s injury because patients with certain conditions such as osteoporosis are more likely to have different types of shoulder fractures. For example, someone with osteoporosis is more likely to fracture their humerus (upper arm bone), while patients who experienced high-impact injuries such as motor vehicle accidents are more likely to have broken their scapula (shoulder blade). In addition to taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination, Dr. Lamplot will also order further diagnostic imaging such as an X-Ray or MRI scan. This will allow him to take a close look at the patient’s injury, give a diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

How is a shoulder fracture treated?

Treatment for shoulder fractures will depend on the location, type, and severity of the fracture.

Non-surgical:

Patients who experienced a non-displaced or minimally-displaced fracture can often be treated with conservative, non-surgical measures. This treatment includes:

• Immobilization of the shoulder using a sling
• Rest
• Pain management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or prescription medication prescribed at Dr. Lamplot’s discretion.
• Physical therapy after the bone has begun to heal to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion

Surgical treatments:

Patients who experienced a displaced shoulder fracture, or more severe fractures may require a surgical operation to facilitate healing and prevent any further complications including arthritis in the shoulder. Dr. Lamplot will recommend and perform an individualized surgery tailored to the patient’s injury and activity goals. He may realign the bones of the shoulder into the proper position and secure them using surgical plates and screws (often done with clavicle fracture fixation.) Some patients with severe injuries may require shoulder replacement surgery to fix the injury. Dr. Lamplot will make recommendations for the surgery needed after his careful assessment and evaluation of the patient’s injury. For the best outcome following surgical shoulder surgery, physical therapy is recommended.