Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Three bones - the humerus, scapula, and clavicle - make up the shoulder joint. When one of these bones breaks, it's called a shoulder fracture or a broken shoulder.  The most common cause of a shoulder fracture is a traumatic injury that puts a lot of force on your shoulder, such as in a fall or car accident.

Shoulder fractures are not as common as other shoulder injuries.

Symptoms

  • Shoulder pain
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Not being able to move your shoulder
  • A bump at your shoulder that's not usually there

Treatment

Risk Factors

You're more likely to get a humerus fracture if you're over 65 years old and have bone density issues. Clavicle fractures are most common in teenagers.

Other risk factors of a shoulder fracture include:

  • Playing contact sports
  • Having osteoperosis

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

department

Orthopedic Surgery

We offer full and complete orthopedic services for acute injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions to help you get back to the activities you love.