Go to the emergency room or call 911 if:
- The shoulder looks deformed, or you cannot move your arm.
- You have severe pain after a direct hit to the shoulder.
- Numbness or weakness in your arm or hand is getting worse.
- Left shoulder or arm pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating.
- You have belly pain, or bruising across your belly or chest from the seat belt.
Why the shoulder gets hurt in a crash
- The seat belt. The shoulder strap holds you in place by loading one shoulder and the collarbone.
- Bracing. Hands locked on the wheel send the force of the stop up through the arms into the shoulders.
- Side impacts. The door or window can strike the arm and shoulder directly.
- The neck. Irritated joints or nerves in the neck can cause pain that is felt in the shoulder, which is why the two are examined together. See whiplash treatment.
Common shoulder problems after a crash
- Muscle strain in the shoulder and upper back.
- Irritation or a tear of the rotator cuff tendons.
- A sprain of the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade (the AC joint).
- Pain referred from the neck.
- Bruising from the seat belt across the shoulder and chest.
Symptoms to write down
- Pain when lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind you.
- Weakness, clicking or catching.
- Pain at night, especially lying on that side.
- Pain that starts in the neck and runs into the shoulder.
- Numbness or tingling down the arm.
Write down each symptom and the day it started. The Crash Kit has a symptom log you keep yourself. Side impacts often hurt the ribs as well: see rib pain after a car accident.
What the exam checks
Dr. Ben Glass takes a history of the crash and your symptoms, then examines the shoulder and the neck together: range of motion measured in degrees, orthopedic tests of the rotator cuff and the AC joint, and a neurological screen of the arm. If the exam points to a tear or another injury that needs imaging or another doctor's opinion, you are referred. Findings are written down and dated from the first visit.
Auto insurance, MedPay, PIP, and liens accepted. The clinic does not bill health insurance or workers' comp. We check your policy before your first visit, and what you owe is confirmed in writing before your first visit.
Common questions
Why does my shoulder hurt when it was my neck that snapped?
Pain from irritated joints or nerves in the neck is often felt in the shoulder. That is why the neck and shoulder are examined together.
Why did the shoulder pain start days after the crash?
Adrenaline can mask pain at the scene, and stiffness and soreness often show up a day or two later. Write down when it started.
Will I need an MRI?
Not always. The exam decides. If it points to a tear or another injury that needs imaging, you are referred for it.
How long will my shoulder take to feel better?
It differs for every person and every crash, so we do not publish timelines. Your plan is set after the exam and measured at each re-evaluation.