Overview

Causes

Floating shoulder is caused by trauma from:

  • A motor vehicle or bike accidents
  • Falls
  • Being shot with a gun
  • Crushing of the shoulder
Shoulder Injury During Car Crash
car accident shoulder injury
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Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of floating shoulder are:

  • Not wearing a seat belt
  • Being around violence

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms may be:

  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Muscle spasms
  • The arm of the injured shoulder hanging lower than normal
  • Numbness or weakness

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. Questions will also be asked about how the injury happened. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the shoulder.

Pictures may be taken of the shoulder. This can be done with:

  • X-rays
  • CT scan

Treatments

Treatment

It can take 3 months to heal. The goal of treatment is to help the bones heal properly to prevent long term problems.

Putting Bones Back in Place

Some fractures may cause pieces of bone to come apart. The pieces of bone will need to be put back into place so it will heal properly. The doctor may do this through surgery to repair the clavicle using a plate and screws. The scapular bone may also be fixed with this surgery. The devices will hold the bone in place as it heals.

Support

Support for all fractures can include:

  • Medicine to ease pain and swelling
  • A sling or shoulder immobilizer to support the bones as they heal
  • Exercises to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion

Prevention

Many of these injuries happen due to motor vehicle accidents. Always wear a seat belt when riding in a car.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.