A broken shoulder, which doctors often call a proximal humerus fracture, happens when the top part of the upper arm bone (called the humerus) breaks near the shoulder joint.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The humerus ends in a round ball shape, and this ball fits into a socket on the shoulder blade (or scapula). A proximal humerus fracture occurs right at the top of the humerus, where the ball meets the socket. This area is crucial because the shoulder joint relies on all these parts working together for movement.
Experts at Summit Orthopedics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area specialize in diagnosing and treating broken shoulders. We offer a full range of treatment options, from nonsurgical care to advanced surgical procedures, personalized to your specific injury and recovery goals.
Types of Broken Shoulders
Doctors generally categorize fractures into two types based on how severely the bone breaks:
- Displaced fracture: The bone breaks, and the fractured ends move out of their proper alignment. Because the bone pieces are no longer in the right position, surgery is often required to realign and stabilize them. Displaced fractures may also take longer to heal and often need physical therapy to restore strength and movement after treatment.
- Nondisplaced fracture: The bone breaks, but the pieces stay in their correct position and do not shift or move out of alignment. This type of fracture is often more stable and can sometimes be treated without surgery. A sling, brace or cast may be used to keep the bone still while it heals.
What Causes a Broken Shoulder?
The most common cause of a broken shoulder is an injury, such as a severe fall or an accident. You can break your shoulder by falling down with your arm stretched out.
The second major cause involves bone weakness. Doctors often see shoulder fractures in people with conditions like osteoporosis. If you have weak bones, a minor force can cause your bone to break.
Symptoms of a Broken Shoulder
If you break your shoulder, you will likely have symptoms in your upper arm and shoulder. Common symptoms include:
- A grinding sensation during movement
- Bruising around the top of the arm
- Deformity, which means the shoulder doesn’t look right
- Difficulty moving your arm or shoulder
- Numbness
- Swelling
Diagnosing a Broken Shoulder
If you think you have a broken shoulder, your doctor will perform a physical exam and use imaging tests to make a diagnosis. In most cases, an X-ray gives the doctor enough information to confirm the bone fracture.
However, in certain situations, your specialist may need more detailed pictures. They may order a CT scan. A CT scan also helps doctors plan for potential shoulder fracture surgery.
Treating a Broken Shoulder
The best way to treat a broken shoulder depends on many factors, including the type and location of the fracture, its severity, and your overall health. Your doctor aims to ensure that you receive the best treatment so you can return to your active life quickly.
A broken shoulder doesn’t always need surgery. If the bone pieces haven’t moved much out of place, doctors can treat it without an operation. Nonsurgical care usually involves wearing a sling or brace to keep the shoulder still while it heals. After this healing period, rehabilitation is a key part of recovery. Physical therapy helps reduce stiffness, improve movement and rebuild muscle strength.
Surgical Treatment
Sometimes a broken shoulder is so severe that surgery is the best option. Surgery may be needed if:
- The bone pieces do not line up correctly.
- The break involves bones that are not in their usual position.
- The bone fragments have shifted more than one centimeter or are angled more than 45 degrees.
- The fracture is an open fracture (the bone breaks through the skin).
Types of Surgery for Shoulder Fractures
Doctors use different surgical methods to treat bone fractures.
- Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF): Your surgeon moves the bone pieces back into place and uses metal plates, screws or pins to hold them together.
- Partial joint replacement: In more complex cases, such as when the top of the humerus is shattered, your doctor may replace just the damaged part of the shoulder joint.
- Total shoulder replacement: In this procedure, your surgeon replaces the entire joint, which often works best for older patients with poor bone quality or severe fractures that cannot be repaired.
How to Prevent a Broken Shoulder
Broken shoulders are often related to accidents, which can be difficult to prevent. However, you can take some basic steps to reduce your risk, especially if you’re older, by addressing the two leading causes of shoulder injuries:
- Falls: Most shoulder breaks happen when someone falls onto an outstretched arm. To stay safe, watch your step while walking.
- Weak bones: Conditions like osteoporosis can weaken bones, making them more prone to breaks. Talk with your doctor about managing your bone health to reduce this risk.
Care for Broken Shoulder at Summit Orthopedics
At Summit Orthopedics, we treat broken shoulders with exceptional care and precision. Our first goal is to heal your shoulder without surgery whenever possible. If surgery becomes necessary, our board-certified surgeons have extensive experience performing advanced procedures designed to restore movement, reduce pain and help you recover as quickly and safely as possible.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics shoulder expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
