What Causes Severe Pain In The Shoulder After A Fall?

Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2016

Question: I fell yesterday and landed on my shoulder. Heard a small "cracking sound" and experienced only a medium amount of pain. Within an hour however and all through last night the pain grew. This morning it is extremely sore and painful, especially on the top of the shoulder. Thoughts as to what it could be and should I take action.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly a fracture

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting the query.

Hearing a cracking sound associated with increasing pain is almost always indicative of an underlying fracture. At your age,the bones are weak due to osteoporosis and tend to break easily.

If you have fallen on the outside of shoulder,then the upper part of the arm bone (humerus) ,either the head,neck or tuberosity may be fractured.

Other bones like clavicle or acromial process can also get fractured.

I suggest you should not neglect it and get an xray done immediately.

Keep the arm immobilised in the sling arm pouch till you consult a doctor and till it is clear as to what exactly has happened.

Take analgesics till then.

Let me know the xray report once it is done. You can upload the xray as well,so that i can guide you further.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to consult me for any follow up queries.

Thank you. Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad