Shoulder or collarbone injury: when should I get it checked?

This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency

Shoulder and collarbone injuries are common after falls, sports injuries, bike or scooter accidents, workplace injuries, direct knocks, or landing awkwardly on an outstretched arm. Some shoulder injuries are simple sprains, strains or bruises that improve with support and time. Others may involve a broken collarbone, shoulder dislocation or other joint injury, rotator cuff or other tendon injury, or another fracture around the shoulder.

It can be difficult to tell how serious a shoulder or collarbone injury is without an assessment. Significant pain, swelling, deformity, weakness, reduced movement, numbness, or being unable to lift the arm can suggest a more significant injury.

Shorecare can assess shoulder and collarbone injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, falls and workplace injuries. If an X-ray is needed, our team can help arrange this. When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, which means imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

Seek urgent help immediately if:

• There has been major trauma, such as a serious fall, vehicle accident, or crush injury.

• The person is very unwell, faint, confused, drowsy, pale, clammy, or has severe pain.

• There is a bone sticking out, a badly deformed shoulder or collarbone, or heavy bleeding.

• The arm, hand or fingers are cold, blue, numb, very weak, or the pain is rapidly worsening.

• There is chest pain, difficulty breathing, a serious open wound, or concern about damage to blood vessels, nerves or deeper structures.

A shoulder or collarbone injury should be checked if:

• You cannot lift or move the arm normally.

• You have significant pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or weakness.

• There is pain over the collarbone, shoulder tip, upper arm, or around the shoulder joint.

• The shoulder looks out of place or feels like it has popped out.

• There is numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain going down the arm.

• The injury happened after a fall, direct blow, sport, work injury, bike or scooter accident.

• You landed on your shoulder or on an outstretched arm.

• A child is refusing to use their arm or is very distressed after a shoulder or collarbone injury.

• The pain or swelling is not improving after a day or two, or symptoms are getting worse.

Is it a shoulder sprain, dislocation or fracture?

A sprain or strain involves injury to ligaments, muscles or tendons around the shoulder. A dislocation means the shoulder joint has moved out of place. A fracture means there is a broken bone, such as a broken collarbone or a fracture near the shoulder.

These injuries can cause similar symptoms, including pain, swelling, bruising, weakness and difficulty moving the arm. An assessment can help decide whether an X-ray, sling, support, referral, rehabilitation guidance, or follow-up care is needed.

Do I need an X-ray for a shoulder or collarbone injury?

Not every shoulder injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will usually ask what happened, examine the shoulder, collarbone and arm, check movement, look for swelling or deformity, and assess whether there are signs of a fracture, dislocation, or other significant injury.

An X-ray may be recommended if there is concern about a broken collarbone, shoulder dislocation, fracture near the shoulder, or another bony injury.

Why should a shoulder injury be assessed early?

Shoulder and collarbone injuries can affect sleep, driving, work, sport and everyday activities such as dressing, lifting and reaching. A poorly managed shoulder injury can lead to ongoing pain, stiffness, weakness, reduced movement, instability, or delayed return to activity.

Getting the right treatment early can help recovery and reduce the risk of longer-term problems. Depending on the injury, treatment may include a sling, support, pain relief advice, imaging, rehabilitation guidance, referral for specialist care, or follow-up review.

What should I do before coming in?

• Rest the injured shoulder or arm.

• Use a sling or support if this is comfortable.

• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for short periods.

• Avoid lifting, pushing, pulling, driving, or playing sport with the injured arm.

• Remove rings, watches or tight jewellery if there is swelling in the hand or arm.

• Use simple pain relief like paracetamol if you can take it safely.

• Do not try to “pop” the shoulder back in yourself if it looks or feels out of place.

• Do not force the arm to move if it is very painful.

How Shorecare can help

Shorecare can assess shoulder and collarbone injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.

Depending on the injury, care may include clinical assessment, X-ray through our radiology partner Canopy Imaging, pain relief advice, a sling, strapping, splinting, ACC documentation, referral for hospital or specialist care, or follow-up orthopaedic/fracture clinic review.

When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, so imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

If the injury is more serious, Shorecare can assess and stabilise you and arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.

If you are unsure whether your shoulder or collarbone injury needs medical care, we are here to provide a full assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come to Shorecare for a shoulder or collarbone injury?

Yes. Shorecare can assess shoulder and collarbone injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.

Do I need an X-ray for a shoulder injury?

Not every shoulder injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will assess what happened, where the pain is, how the shoulder and arm are moving, and whether there are signs of fracture, dislocation or another significant injury.

What does a broken collarbone feel like?

A broken collarbone can cause pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity or a bump over the collarbone, and difficulty moving the arm. It often happens after a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm.

What should I do if my shoulder looks dislocated?

Do not try to put it back in yourself. Keep the arm supported and seek urgent medical assessment. If there is numbness, weakness, severe pain, a cold or blue hand, or the person is very unwell, call 111 or go directly to the emergency department.

Can Shorecare help with ACC shoulder injuries?

Yes. Shorecare can assess and treat ACC shoulder injuries, including sports injuries, workplace injuries, falls, sprains, suspected fractures and dislocations.

When should a shoulder injury go to hospital?

Call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if there has been major trauma, a bone is sticking out, there is heavy bleeding, the arm or hand is cold, blue or numb, the pain is rapidly worsening, there is chest pain or difficulty breathing, or the person is very unwell.