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Merck Manual
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Home /
Quick Facts: Injuries and Poisoning /
Fractures /
... /
Broken Shoulder /
IN THIS TOPIC

What is a broken shoulder?

What causes the shoulder to break?

What are the symptoms of a broken shoulder?

How can doctors tell if my shoulder is broken?

How do doctors treat a broken shoulder?

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Fractures
Overview of Broken Bones
Broken Ankle
Broken Collarbone
Broken Fingertip
Broken Heel
Broken Hip
Broken Metatarsal
Broken Pelvis
Broken Shoulder
Broken Toe
Broken Wrist
Compartment Syndrome
Compression Fractures of the Spine
Growth Plate Fractures

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Quick Facts

Broken Shoulder

(Fractured Humerus)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Apr 2019
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NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version
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Topic Resources

What is a broken shoulder?

A broken shoulder is a break near the top of your upper arm bone, close to your shoulder joint. This bone is called the humerus. All broken bones are considered fractures. For more information, see Overview of Broken Bones.

Shoulder Fracture

Fractures that occur in the upper part of the upper arm bone (humerus) cause pain in the shoulder because the upper arm bone is part of the shoulder joint. The upper arm bone may fracture in different places. One example is shown below.

Shoulder Fracture

  • You usually break your shoulder by falling with your arm outstretched

  • Broken shoulders are more common in older people

  • You'll have pain and may not be able to move your arm at the shoulder

  • Most of the time, you'll just need to wear a sling, but sometimes doctors do surgery

What causes the shoulder to break?

Common causes:

  • A hard hit to the upper arm or shoulder

  • Falling down with your arm outstretched

What are the symptoms of a broken shoulder?

Symptoms include:

  • Pain and swelling in the shoulder

  • Difficulty raising your arm

  • Sometimes, numbness in your upper arm

How can doctors tell if my shoulder is broken?

Doctors do:

How do doctors treat a broken shoulder?

Doctors treat a broken shoulder with:

  • A sling, and sometimes also a swathe (a strap that holds the sling against your body)

  • Exercises to keep your shoulder from becoming stiff

  • Sometimes, surgery for bad fractures

If you need surgery, the surgeon may use metal plates, screws, or wires to hold your bones in place while they heal. Sometimes, the surgeon will put in an artificial shoulder joint (joint replacement).

After the broken bone heals, your shoulder will be stiff. You'll need to do rehab exercises to loosen it up and get your strength back.

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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Broken Pelvis
Broken Toe
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