Trauma to the shoulder is common. Injuries range from a separated shoulder resulting from a fall onto the shoulder to a high-speed car accident that fractures the shoulder blade (scapula) or collar bone (clavicle). One thing is certain: everyone injures his or her shoulder at some point in life.

There are many types of shoulder injuries:

• Fractures are broken bones. Fractures commonly involve the clavicle (collar bone), proximal humerus (top of the upper arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade).
• Dislocations occur when the bones on opposite sides of a joint do not line up. Dislocations can involve any of three different joints.
  • A dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint (collar bone joint) is called a “separated shoulder.”
  • A dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint interrupts the connection between the clavicle and the breastbone (sternum).
  • The glenohumeral joint (the ball and socket joint of the shoulder) can be dislocated toward the front (anteriorly) or toward the back (posteriorly).
• Soft-tissue injuries are tears of the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joint capsule of the shoulder, such as rotator cuff tears and labral tears.

Click here to learn more about fractures and dislocations.

Are you experiencing shoulder pain? Call the Shoulder & Orthopedic Institute today at 405-330-8847. Ryan L. Nelson, D.O. is an orthopedic doctor & surgeon in Oklahoma City that can help you identify the source of your joint pain and establish a treatment plan.