Symptoms

What symptoms do shoulder fractures cause?

The most prominent symptom after a fracture is pain localized to the site of the fracture. This area will also be tender and will swell up very soon after the fracture. There will usually be a history of an accident to cause the fracture and it may be helpful to remember the details of how the injury occurred. Bruising that spreads down into the arm will be evident within 24 hours. Normal function of the shoulder is impossible and it may be painful to move the elbow or hand. Movement of the arm or shoulder may produce pain transmitted up to the fracture site. If there is a dislocation also there may be deformity at the joint. Moving the joint will be painful or impossible.

Even after treatment, symptoms of pain made worse by movement, swelling, bruising, and tenderness will persist for several weeks after the fracture. These symptoms result from injury to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons (soft tissue) in the region of the fracture as well as bleeding into the tissues. They resolve slowly as the body re-absorbs the bleeding and heals the torn muscles.