Injuries pertaining to the shoulder region, including dislocation, sprain, fracture, nerve damage, impingement, compression, or crush wound. Includes damage to joints, muscle, ligaments, tendons, and bursa, including rotator cuff tear, dislocation, acromioclavicular separation, labrum tear, and acromion, clavicle, glenoid, greater tuberosity, scapula, or proximal humeral fracture.

May be due to external trauma (eg, motor vehicle, occupational, or sporting accident), a fall, or overload or overuse. Conditions of hypermobility or laxity (eg, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) can contribute to more severe shoulder damage than external force might warrant.

Shoulder injuries are characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling, limited range of motion, and deformity. Sternoclavicular fracture may present life-threatening symptoms related to internal injuries of the upper thorax (eg, lungs, trachea, heart).

Management includes icing, sling usage, curbing activities, reduction of dislocation, pain management, anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery, and physical therapy. Resources for opioid prescribing guidelines, as well as nonopioid alternatives, can be found here.