Shoulder Fractures

Inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion between the rotator cuff and the bony roof of the shoulder, causing pain with reaching and lying on that side.

Shoulder Bursitis

Breaks of the collarbone, the upper arm bone at the shoulder, or the shoulder blade, from falls and collisions. Many heal in a sling; some need fixation or replacement.

Shoulder Fractures

Damage to the smooth cartilage surface of the ball or socket, from a dislocation, an injury or early wear, that causes pain, catching and the start of arthritis.

Shoulder Cartilage Injury

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow in baseball, softball and other overhead athletes: labral tears, internal impingement, biceps problems and elbow ligament strain.

Throwing Injuries

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Shoulder Fractures

Three bones meet at the shoulder.

The collarbone breaks in falls and cycling crashes. The top of the upper arm bone breaks in falls in older adults. The shoulder blade breaks in high-energy collisions.Treatment depends on which bone, how displaced, and the age and activity of the patient.

Treated by

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

or call801-640-0000

Shoulder Fractures

Symptoms

Immediate pain, swelling and bruising after a fall.Inability to lift the arm. A visible bump or deformity over the collarbone. Grinding with movement.

Numbness in the hand or a cold hand after a shoulder injury is an emergency.

Common signs

Pain and swelling after a fall

Cannot lift the arm

Bump over the collarbone

Grinding with movement

See us sooner if

Numb or cold hand

Skin tented over the bone

Shoulder Fractures

Causes

Falls onto the shoulder or an outstretched hand, bicycle and ski crashes, contact sports and vehicle collisions.In older adults with thin bone, a fall from standing is enough to break the upper arm.Osteoporosis makes these fractures more likely and harder to fix.

Shoulder Fractures

How We Diagnose It

X-rays show most shoulder fractures.CT scan maps complex fractures of the upper arm and shoulder blade for surgical planning.The exam also checks the nerves and blood vessels that run close to these bones.Falls on ice and cycling crashes are the usual causes here; fractures are seen within days. Dr. Taylor, Dr. Christensen and Dr. Wallentine operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Timpanogos Regional Hospital.

Shoulder Fractures

Treatment Options

Most collarbone fractures and many upper arm fractures heal in a sling with early guided motion.

Displaced collarbone fractures in active patients are plated. Displaced upper arm fractures are fixed with a plate or, in older adults with poor bone, treated with reverse shoulder replacement.Dr. Taylor completed fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery, which includes complex fracture care.

Your options

Non-surgical

Sling

Early guided motion

Surgical

Plate fixation

Reverse replacement

Clavicle Fracture Repair

Fracture Fixation (ORIF)

Reverse Total Shoulder

Shoulder Fractures

Procedures That Address It

Clavicle Fracture Repair

Fracture Fixation (ORIF)

Total Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder Fractures

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Wallentine, MD

Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330