Shoulder Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Shoulder Injury?
An orthopedic doctor, a doctor who treats bone and joint problems, usually treats a shoulder injury. A dislocated shoulder is usually first treated in the emergency room. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a shoulder injury?
The shoulder joint is made of three bones: the collarbone, the shoulder blade, and the upper arm bone. The shoulder can be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. This makes it easy to injure.
Common shoulder problems include sprains and strains, dislocations, torn rotator cuffs, frozen shoulder, and broken bones. A dislocation happens when the bones on opposite sides of a joint do not line up. The rotator cuff is a set of four small muscles and their tendons. They keep your upper arm bone in the shoulder socket.
Symptoms
You may feel shoulder pain only when you move your shoulder, or all the time. After a break, dislocation, or separation, you may have pain, swelling, and bruising. You may not be able to move the shoulder. A dislocation can cause a bump on the front of the shoulder. A shoulder that dislocates again and again can hurt and feel unsteady when you raise your arm or move it away from your body.
Causes and who gets it
Most shoulder problems come from one of four things. These are a swollen or torn tendon, a shoulder that slips out of place, arthritis, or a broken bone. A fall, a hard hit such as a football tackle, or a car crash can break the collarbone or the top of the upper arm bone. A fall onto the shoulder or lifting heavy objects can cause a shoulder separation.
Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. Too much ball throwing or other overhead activity at work or in sport can lead to it. Tendon tears can come from a sudden injury, or from age, long-term overuse, or wear and tear. The most common type of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors find the cause of shoulder problems with your health history, a physical exam, and imaging tests, which are pictures of the inside of the shoulder. During the exam, your doctor looks for swelling, deformity, and weak muscles, and checks for tender spots. X-rays will show any injuries to the bones that make up your shoulder joint. MRI scans and ultrasound give better pictures of soft tissues than X-rays do.
Treatment
Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Most people with shoulder pain get better with simple care: changing what they do, rest, physical therapy, and medicine. Your doctor may suggest NSAIDs, which are medicines that lower pain and swelling. Take pain medicine only as directed. Your doctor may also suggest shots of numbing medicine or steroids to relieve pain.
A dislocated shoulder is first put back in place, usually in the emergency room. You get pain medicine and mild sedation, which helps you relax. Then the shoulder goes into a sling or brace. A broken collarbone is often treated without surgery. Some problems, such as repeated dislocations and some rotator cuff tears, may not get better with exercise. In these cases, surgery may be recommended fairly early. Most shoulder injuries need a time of keeping the arm still, followed by rehab exercises.
When to see a doctor
If you have an acute injury that causes intense pain, seek medical care as soon as possible. If the pain is less severe, it may be safe to rest a few days to see if time will resolve the problem. If symptoms persist, see a doctor. Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a major accident, such as a car crash. Do the same for a head or spine injury or a deep or large wound.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at your shoulder, ask how it was hurt, and refer you to an orthopedic doctor or physical therapist when needed.
Common questions
What are the most common shoulder injuries?
Common problems include sprains and strains, dislocations, torn rotator cuffs, frozen shoulder, and broken bones.
What is the first treatment for a shoulder injury?
Often, the first treatment is RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Do all shoulder injuries need surgery?
No. Most people with shoulder pain get better with simple care: changing what they do, rest, physical therapy, and medicine. Surgery may be suggested early for problems such as repeated dislocations and some rotator cuff tears.
How long does it take to recover from a shoulder injury?
If the injury was not severe, there is fairly rapid improvement after the first 4 to 6 weeks. Life after a shoulder fracture, separation, or dislocation can be greatly affected for several weeks or even months. Pain, strength, and range of motion often continue to improve over the next several months, up to 12 months after the injury.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Shoulder Trauma (Fractures and Dislocations)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
