A shoulder fracture happens when something breaks any of the three bones in your shoulder joint. It’s usually caused by traumas like car accidents or sports injuries. You’ll have to wear a brace or sling for a few weeks, and you might need surgery to repair your bone. It usually takes a few months to recover fully from a fractured shoulder.
A shoulder fracture is a broken bone in your shoulder joint. A bone fracture is the medical definition for a broken bone.
You might need surgery to repair a fractured shoulder. Some people only need a cast, brace or sling for the bone to heal. How long it takes to recover fully depends on which of your bones are fractured and what caused it.
Never try to force your shoulder joint back into place on your own or use it if you’ve experienced trauma. Go to the emergency room if you think you have a broken bone or another shoulder injury.
The most common way healthcare providers classify shoulder fractures is by which bone is broken. There are three bones in your shoulder joint:
Breaking any of these bones is a shoulder fracture.
Shoulder fractures aren’t as common as other injuries like dislocations or separated shoulders.
Clavicle fractures are common, especially in teens. Proximal humerus fractures are more common in people older than 65 or those who have bone density issues. Scapula fractures are rare because your shoulder blades are so well protected by muscles and other tissue in your chest and back.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Symptoms of a shoulder fracture include:
Shoulder fractures are almost always caused by traumas that suddenly impact your shoulder with a lot of force. Some of the most common causes include:
Anyone can experience shoulder fractures, but they’re most common in kids and teens who experience traumas and adults older than 65 who experience falls.
People with osteoporosis or osteopenia are much more likely to experience a bone fracture, especially from falls. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until after it causes them to break a bone. There usually aren’t obvious symptoms.
Lots of people who experience a fractured shoulder have permanent stiffness in their joint, even after it’s healed. A shoulder fracture can also increase your risk of developing arthritis in that shoulder.
If you experience an open fracture (the bone breaks through your skin), you have an increased risk of bone infections (osteomyelitis).
It’s rare, but there’s a chance the injury that caused a fracture could damage other parts of your shoulder, too, including your:
A healthcare provider will diagnose a shoulder with a physical exam and imaging tests. Providers in the emergency room might diagnose the fracture if you’re taken to the ER after a trauma like a car accident.
You’ll need at least one of a few imaging tests to take pictures of the fracture:
Your provider will describe the fracture as displaced or non-displaced.
A displaced fracture means the pieces of your bone moved so much that a gap formed around the fracture when your bone broke.
Non-displaced fractures are still broken bones, but the pieces weren’t moved far enough during the break to be out of alignment.
Your provider will classify the fracture as either open or closed. If you have an open fracture, the broken bone breaks through your skin. Open fractures are sometimes referred to as compound fractures. Open fractures have an increased risk of infections and other complications. Closed fractures are still serious, but your bone doesn’t push through your skin.
How your provider treats a fractured shoulder depends on which bone is broken and if you have any other injuries.
If the fracture is mild and your bones didn’t move far out of place (a non-displaced fracture), you might only need a sling or brace. How long you’ll need to wear one depends on what caused the fracture and what type it is. You’ll need follow-up X-rays to make sure your bones are healing correctly.
Most clavicle and scapula fractures need only immobilization and physical therapy to help you regain your shoulder mobility.
Some shoulder fractures require surgery. You might need surgery if the fracture damaged the socket in your scapula that holds your humerus in place (the glenoid).
The most common shoulder fracture surgeries include:
Your surgeon will realign (set) your bones to their correct position and then secure them in place so they can heal and grow back together. They usually perform what’s called an internal fixation, which means your surgeon inserts metal plates, screws or pins into your bone to hold it in place while it heals.
You might live with these pieces inserted in your bone forever. Some people need follow-up surgery to remove them.
Arthroplasty is joint replacement surgery. If the fracture severely damaged your shoulder joint, you may need shoulder replacement surgery. Your surgeon will remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint (a prosthesis).
Shoulder fracture surgery complications are rare, but can include:
Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury:
Most people who experience a shoulder fracture need several months of physical therapy while they’re recovering. A physical therapist will help you regain your strength and range of motion (how far you can move your shoulder).
Severe shoulder fractures can cause permanent stiffness or reduced range of motion in your shoulder. Your provider or surgeon will tell you what to expect.
How long it takes your shoulder to heal depends on a few factors:
It might take between a few weeks and a few months to recover fully. Talk to your provider or surgeon about a timeline that fits your specific situation.
Ask your provider when you can resume physical activities. You’ll need to move your shoulder to prevent stiffness as you heal, but don’t start playing sports, working out or lifting using your fractured shoulder before your provider says it’s safe.
Go to the emergency room right away if you think you have a fractured shoulder (or any other type of broken bone). Go to the ER if you experience any of the following symptoms:
You might be able to move your shoulder if it’s fractured, but it’ll probably be painful. It might be hard (or impossible) to move it as far as you usually can. Never force yourself to use your shoulder after an injury. Go to the emergency room right away if you’ve experienced trauma or think you might have a broken bone.
Your provider or surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to start moving your arm and shoulder again after the fracture is treated. Your physical therapist will give you exercises and movements that strengthen the muscles around your shoulder while you’re healing. You may still be able to move other parts of your arm, including your elbow, wrist and hands to prevent stiffness while you’re recovering.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Shoulder fractures happen when something breaks a bone in your shoulder joint. They can be scary to experience, especially because they’re sudden injuries you can’t plan for.
Even if you need surgery, your shoulder joint should heal in a few months. You might have some stiffness that lasts a long time, but most people are able to regain most of their strength and range of motion with physical therapy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/02/2023.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy