Shoulder Sprain
Overview
Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk are:
- Certain sports, such as swimming, volleyball, baseball, gymnastics, and tennis
-
Jobs that involve:
- Repetitive shoulder movements, such as heavy lifting
- Lifting at or above the height of the shoulder
- Vibration of the shoulder
- Unusual posture or movements
- Poor coordination
- Poor balance
- Lack of flexibility and strength in muscles and ligaments
- Loose joints or connective tissue problems
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked how you hurt your shoulder. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the shoulder.
It can be hard to tell a shoulder sprain from a fracture or dislocation. Pictures of the shoulder may be taken. This can be done with:
- X-rays
- MRI scan
Treatments
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the joint involved and how much it is injured. The goal of treatment is to ease pain and improve movement. Choices are:
- Supportive care, such as rest and ice
- Medicines, such as over the counter and prescription pain relievers
- A brace or sling to keep the shoulder still as it heals
- Physical therapy to strengthen the shoulder and improve movement
Some people may need surgery to repair a ligament that is torn.
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.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
RESOURCES
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine http://www.sportsmed.org
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://www.orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References
Derry S, Moore RA, et al. Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2015;(6):CD007402.
Shoulder problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health%5FInfo/Shoulder%5FProblems/default.asp. Accessed October 12, 2020.
Shoulder separation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00033. Accessed October 12, 2020.
Topical NSAIDs. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/drug-review/topical-nsaids . Accessed October 12, 2020.