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This survival-medicine website provides general information, not individual advice. Most scenarios assume the victim cannot get expert medical help. Please see the disclaimer.

Easy Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

When I was growing up and heard the sports announcer say some player suffered a shoulder separation, I’d picture the poor athlete with his shoulder actually separated in two. Horrible. How could he ever play again?

Now I know it’s usually not quite as bad as it sounds. Okay, it’s never happened to me, but … shoulder (or AC) separations, clavicle fractures, and rotator cuff tears and strains are some of the most common shoulder injuries I see. Fortunately, until you can get to a doctor, the initial treatment for all is similar:

  • A sling because broken bones need to stay immobile to heal
  • Ice packs to reduce swelling
  • Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Still, it’s good to have some idea of the injury you’re dealing with since some of the details differ. Here are some tips that might help if it’s going to be a while until you can get X-rayed and treated by medical personnel:

Clavicle (collarbone) break: Suspect a break if there’s been direct trauma (maybe a fall) and part of the bone is very tender. Sometimes there’s a knot. It takes about six weeks for a clavicle fracture to heal. Some need a surgical plate or pin. A doctor should determine that.

AC (acromio-clavicular) separation: Ligaments attach the clavicle to the shoulder at part of the bone called the acromion. An AC separation can be a bruise, strain, or tear of these ligaments, usually caused by a direct fall on the shoulder. The AC joint will be tender, sometimes swollen, and painful to move. Treatment is a sling usually for one to four weeks. If the ligaments are torn badly (fairly rare), healing may take quite a bit longer. Of course, see a doctor as soon as you can to assess the severity and make sure nothing’s broken.

Rotator cuff strain or tear: The rotator cuff is a group of ligaments, tendons, and muscles that surround the shoulder joint. Any one of these can be strained or torn. Until you can get expert care, put your arm in a sling.

For more details on treating these common shoulder injuries, including how to make a sling out of your own shirt, see the video above.

In my next video, I’ll talk about how to treat shoulder dislocations.

January 12th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Bones, Videos
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  • Laurie Hagarty

    Hi, I saw stuff on here about ashoulder injuries. My question to you is I have had 4 shoulder surgeries, they took off some of my collarbone and now say my collarbone is floating? This makes it painful as it feels like its popping out alot. I can get it right back in by movnig in a certain direction. Have you ever heard of anything like this. I never had an injury to the shoulder to begin with it my shoulder just broke down for some reason. I am so tired of this problem with the clicking and popping I dont know what to do. I really wish now I never had my 1st surgery done. I had 4 drs do the surgeries as the first dr messed up, 2nd one didndo good. Third one was ok but didnt believe that after 3 surgries that it still wasnt right. The 4th dr was great but doesnt think there can be anymore problems? I know my body and I know this isnt normal. Im afraid to lift anything or even do any gardening or live any kind of life due to this poppping sound. Thans in advance

    • http://www.TheSurvivalDoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

      Laurie. I really can’t give you any personal medical advice but, generally I’d get a second, even third opinion. If they agree nothing else could be done, then there’s your answer. I’d, also, ask them if the popping is harmful and if you should have any restrictions on using your arm. Many times popping does no great harm, but I’d go with the advice you trust the most. Be sure you go to well-recommended orthos who do mostly shoulder work.

  • http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

    I’m going to copy and paste your comment in the comment section of my other shoulder video post. The one specifically on shoulder dislocations. Hope that’s ok. :)

  • http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

    Great tip. Thanks. I already have the video up for shoulder dislocations but I’ll keep it in mind for remakes, which there will be.

  • Allan Hildebrandt

    An old ER nurse here. For reduction of a separation in the field, there is a way that I know sometimes works ( depending on anterior or posterior ) sit down on floor, knees up. hold hands together and grasp opposite knee, pull self forwards. Perhaps you could add this to video for further instructional purposes.