Shoulder Problems and Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Shoulder pain with chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, is increasing in intensity, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
• Shoulder pain with shortness of breath or painful breathing

After calling 911 or other emergency services:

• If the person becomes unconscious, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• If the person is awake, alert, not vomiting, and not allergic to aspirin, have the person chew and swallow one adult-strength aspirin (325 mg) or 4 low-dose aspirin (80 mg each) before emergency medical personnel such as paramedics arrive. Be sure to tell emergency personnel that aspirin has been taken.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older or Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
• Difficulty breathing: Go to the topic Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older or Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Punctures.

Yes	Does your shoulder look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?
Yes	Does your collarbone (clavicle) look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?
Yes	Do you have pain or tenderness in your shoulder?
Yes	Has your hand or arm turned pale, white, blue, or cold after a shoulder injury?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in or below your shoulder?
Yes	Are you unable to move your shoulder normally?
Yes	Do you have swelling in or around the shoulder?
Yes	Do you have snapping, popping, or grating in your shoulder?
Yes	Do you think that a shoulder injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Do you think you have inflammation or infection in your shoulder?
Yes	Is your shoulder bruised after an injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A cut, burn, scrape, bite, or puncture: Go to the topic Cuts, Burns, Scrapes, Animal and Human Bites, or Puncture Wounds.
• A blistered rash in the shoulder area: Go to the topic Rash, Age 12 and Older.
• Unexplained arm pain or swelling: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Noninjury.
• An injury to an arm: Go to the topic Arm Injuries.
• Back or neck pain: Go to the topic Back Problems and Injuries or Neck Problems and Injuries.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 24, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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