A shoulder fracture is a broken bone, usually the collar bone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone located between the shoulder and the elbow (humerus). A break can occur in any of several places, and treatment can vary based on the location due to the attachment of important shoulder muscles. Indications of a possible shoulder fracture include pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration, and a bump or deformity at the site of the break. If you’re a resident of Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or another nearby Florida community and you are experiencing symptoms like these, expert care is available from the Board-certified surgeons and sports medicine doctors at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group.
After diagnosing your shoulder fracture with an x-ray, your orthopaedic specialist at Tampa Orthopaedic might recommend:
- A “collar and cuff” sling to be worn for approximately six weeks to support your arm and allow its weight to pull the humerus downward and help the bone heal in the correct position
- Progressive strengthening exercises
- Physical therapy to store normal function after healing
Usually, a shoulder fracture can be successfully treated without surgery. However, if the fracture is displaced, meaning that manipulation is required to restore the broken pieces to normal anatomy, surgery might be recommended. Our Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Daniel Murphy, is experienced in performing shoulder surgery and other orthopaedic procedures.
Contact Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group today to have your suspected shoulder fracture evaluated. We’ll take the time to fully assess your condition and attempt conservative treatment options before recommending any type of surgery. And, should we determine that orthopaedic surgery offers you the best chance for recovery, we’ll fully explain what it entails, its risks and benefits, and what you can realistically expect during your rehabilitation. We see patients from Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties in Florida, and beyond.
