Shoulder Pain After a Fall: Signs of Injury & Next Steps
A fall can happen quickly. You may land on your shoulder, catch yourself with your arm, or take a hard impact to the upper body. At first, you may notice only mild soreness. Later, pain, stiffness, swelling, bruising, weakness, or trouble moving the arm may appear.
Shoulder pain after a fall can have different causes. It may come from a minor soft-tissue injury, but a fall can also cause a more significant injury that needs professional evaluation.
This guide explains what may happen to the shoulder after a fall, signs to watch for, what you can do right away, and when it may be time to get your shoulder checked in NYC.
Why Can a Fall Cause Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a complex joint that helps your arm move in many directions. During a fall, it can be exposed to a sudden force.
You may hurt your shoulder by:
Landing directly on the shoulder
Landing on an outstretched arm
Taking a direct impact to the upper arm or shoulder
Twisting suddenly during the fall
Putting a strong force through the shoulder joint
Straining muscles, tendons, ligaments, or other soft tissues
This can lead to shoulder pain after a fall even if there is no obvious change in the shoulder's shape.
The way you landed can provide useful information during an evaluation. For example, landing directly on the shoulder may affect different structures than landing on an extended hand.
If you want to understand other common reasons shoulder pain can happen outside of an accident, see Blog 1: what causes shoulder pain.
Common Shoulder Injuries That Can Happen After a Fall
A fall does not always cause the same type of shoulder injury. The possible problem can depend on the force of the impact and how the shoulder was positioned.
Shoulder Strain or Soft-Tissue Injury
A fall can strain muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues around the shoulder. This may cause soreness, tenderness, stiffness, or pain when using the arm.
Some soft-tissue injuries may improve with time and appropriate care. However, symptoms that are severe, continue, or interfere with normal activities should be evaluated.
Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps control shoulder movement. A fall can sometimes affect these tissues.
Symptoms may include pain, weakness, or difficulty using the arm. A fall-related rotator cuff problem can range from irritation to a more serious injury.
For more information about symptoms that can occur with a possible rotator cuff tear, see Blog 4: how do i know if i tore my rotator cuff.
Shoulder Dislocation
A dislocation happens when the upper arm bone moves out of its normal position in the shoulder joint. A strong fall or impact can sometimes cause this type of injury.
A suspected dislocation needs prompt professional evaluation. Do not try to force the shoulder back into place yourself.
Shoulder Fracture
A fall can sometimes cause a fracture involving one of the bones around the shoulder. This may include the upper arm bone, collarbone, or shoulder blade.
A fracture can cause pain and difficulty using the arm. Some fractures may also cause swelling, bruising, tenderness, or a change in the shape of the area.
AC Joint Injury
The AC joint is where the collarbone meets part of the shoulder blade. A direct impact to the shoulder can affect this joint.
An AC joint injury may cause pain near the top of the shoulder, tenderness, swelling, or difficulty using the arm. A professional can assess the area and determine what may be causing the symptoms.
What Are the Signs of a Shoulder Injury After a Fall?
After a fall, watch for changes that were not present before the accident. Possible shoulder injury signs include:
Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Weakness
Stiffness
Limited movement
Trouble using the arm
Tenderness around the shoulder
A change in the shape of the shoulder
The severity of symptoms can vary. Some people may have significant pain right away, while others may notice symptoms later.
If your symptoms are concerning or continue to affect normal activities, a shoulder evaluation can help identify what may be happening.
What Are Shoulder Fracture Symptoms?
Possible shoulder fracture symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty moving or using the arm.
A fracture may also cause a visible change in the shape of the shoulder or nearby area. However, symptoms alone cannot confirm that a fracture has occurred.
If a fall involved a strong impact and you have severe pain, major swelling, significant movement problems, or an unusual shoulder shape, seek appropriate medical evaluation.
What Are Shoulder Dislocation Symptoms?
Possible shoulder dislocation symptoms may include severe pain, difficulty moving the arm, an unusual shoulder shape, or a feeling that the joint is out of place.
A suspected dislocation should be evaluated promptly by a medical professional. Do not attempt to put the shoulder back into position yourself.
Getting appropriate care can help prevent further injury and determine what steps should come next.
When Is Shoulder Pain After a Fall an Emergency?
Some symptoms after a fall need urgent medical attention.
Seek appropriate urgent care if you have:
An obvious change in the shape of the shoulder
Inability to move the arm
Severe or rapidly worsening pain
Significant swelling
Numbness or an unusual sensation
Sudden or severe weakness
An arm or hand that looks unusually pale or blue
An arm or hand that feels unusually cold
A suspected fracture or dislocation
Do not try risky self-tests to determine what happened. Do not force the shoulder into a different position.
If you are unsure how serious the injury may be, getting professional advice is safer than trying to diagnose it yourself.
What Should You Do After a Fall?
After a fall, give the shoulder a chance to settle. Avoid activities that clearly make the pain worse.
General steps include:
Stop activities that increase your pain
Avoid forcing painful shoulder movements
Protect the shoulder from another impact
Seek evaluation if symptoms are significant or concerning
Follow the instructions given by a healthcare professional after an evaluation
Avoid aggressive stretching or exercises right after an acute injury unless a professional has advised you to do so.
If moving the arm causes severe pain, do not try to work through it just to test the shoulder.
If the injury also affects your ability to move the arm normally, keep in mind that movement problems can have different causes. For information about shoulder pain related to arm movement, see Blog 3: Why does my shoulder hurt when reaching overhead.
Can You Still Move Your Shoulder If It Is Injured?
Yes. Being able to move your shoulder does not always mean there is no injury.
Different injuries can affect movement in different ways. You may still be able to move the arm even when a shoulder structure has been affected.
For this reason, movement alone should not be used to rule out a fracture, dislocation, or other injury.
If movement is painful, limited, or becoming harder, a professional can assess your shoulder and decide whether further evaluation is needed.
When Should You Get Shoulder Pain Checked After a Fall?
It may be appropriate to have your shoulder evaluated if pain continues after the fall or starts getting worse.
Consider getting professional care if:
Pain continues instead of improving
Movement remains limited
Swelling or bruising is significant
Weakness continues
Normal daily activities are difficult
Symptoms do not improve as expected
The fall involved a significant impact
You develop shoulder pain after injury that does not settle
A professional can look at how the accident happened and how your symptoms have changed. This can help guide the next step.
If your symptoms are mainly present at night, nighttime shoulder pain is covered separately in Blog 2: Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Sleep.
How Is a Shoulder Injury Evaluated?
A shoulder evaluation usually starts with questions about the injury and your symptoms.
A professional may ask:
How did you fall?
Did you land on your shoulder or arm?
Where did the impact occur?
When did the pain begin?
Where do you feel the pain?
Can you move the arm?
Do you notice weakness?
Is there swelling or bruising?
Does the shoulder look different?
Do you have changes in sensation?
A movement assessment may also be used to understand how the shoulder is functioning.
Depending on the findings, imaging may sometimes be needed when a fracture, dislocation, or another significant injury is suspected. Not every shoulder injury requires an X-ray, MRI, or other scan.
What Happens After a Shoulder Injury Is Evaluated?
The next step depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Care may include:
Changing activities for a period of time
Protecting the injured area
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Follow-up evaluation
Additional medical care when needed
Recovery is different for each person and each injury. There is no single recovery plan that fits every fall-related shoulder problem.
The right plan may change as symptoms and shoulder function improve.
How Physical Therapy May Help After a Shoulder Injury
Physical therapy may be part of recovery when it is appropriate for the injury and after any serious problem has been properly evaluated.
A physical therapist may work with you on:
Restoring shoulder movement
Rebuilding strength
Improving shoulder control
Assessing movement
Gradually returning to normal activities
Rehabilitation exercises
The goal is to help restore useful shoulder function while following an appropriate recovery plan.
Metro Wellness NYC provides shoulder pain care and physical therapy services in New York City. If you have ongoing symptoms after a fall, a professional evaluation can help determine whether physical therapy may be appropriate for your situation.
Conclusion
A fall can affect the shoulder in different ways. The injury may involve soft tissue, the rotator cuff, the AC joint, a bone, or the shoulder joint itself.
Shoulder pain after a fall should not be ignored when it is severe, getting worse, limiting movement, or accompanied by major swelling, weakness, numbness, or a change in shoulder shape.
If you are dealing with symptoms after a fall in NYC or Midtown Manhattan, getting the shoulder evaluated can help you understand the next step. Once a serious injury has been ruled out or properly treated, rehabilitation may be part of the recovery process.
FAQs
Can a fall cause a serious shoulder injury?
Yes. A fall can affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or the shoulder joint. The risk can depend on how you landed and how much force was involved. Severe pain, major swelling, weakness, inability to move the arm, or a visible change in shoulder shape should be evaluated promptly.
Should I get my shoulder checked if I can still move my arm?
You may still need an evaluation even if you can move the arm. Being able to move the shoulder does not rule out every type of injury. If pain continues, movement is limited, or daily activities are difficult, a professional can assess the shoulder and guide the next step.
What should I avoid after hurting my shoulder in a fall?
Avoid activities that increase pain and do not force painful movements. It is also best to avoid aggressive stretching or exercises immediately after an acute injury unless a professional recommends them. Protecting the shoulder from another impact can also help prevent further problems.
How long does it take to recover from a shoulder injury?
Recovery time depends on the type and severity of the injury. A mild soft-tissue problem may follow a different course than a fracture, dislocation, or more serious injury. A professional can assess the shoulder and explain what recovery may involve based on your specific situation.
Can physical therapy help after a fall?
Physical therapy may be useful after an injury when it is appropriate and a serious injury has been evaluated. Care may focus on movement, strength, shoulder control, and a gradual return to normal activities. The timing and type of therapy depend on the injury and the professional's recommendations.