Shoulder Problems And Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older or Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
• Difficulty breathing: Go to the topic Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older or Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Punctures.

Yes

Does your shoulder look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?

Yes

Does your collarbone (clavicle) look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?

Yes

Do you have pain or tenderness in your shoulder?

Yes

Has your hand or arm turned pale, white, blue, or cold after a shoulder injury?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in or below your shoulder?

Yes

Are you unable to move your shoulder normally?

Yes

Do you have swelling in or around the shoulder?

Yes

Do you have snapping, popping, or grating in your shoulder?

Yes

Do you think that a shoulder injury may have been caused by abuse?

Yes

Do you think you have inflammation or infection in your shoulder?

Yes

Is your shoulder bruised after an injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A cut, burn, scrape, bite, or puncture: Go to the topic Cuts, Burns, Scrapes, Animal and Human Bites, or Puncture Wounds.
• A blistered rash in the shoulder area: Go to the topic Rash, Age 12 and Older.
• Unexplained arm pain or swelling: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Noninjury.
• An injury to an arm: Go to the topic Arm Injuries.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

E-mail This | Print This Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Last updated:	October 14, 2005
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Richard Holtby, MD, BS, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer