Bruised shoulder

Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.

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A shoulder contusion is caused by a fall or blow on the shoulder. Swelling and pain are the typical symptoms. Find out everything you need to know about shoulder bruises here: What are common causes of the injury? What complaints does it cause? How is shoulder contusion diagnosed and treated?

Shoulder contusion: description

A shoulder contusion is a blunt, closed injury to the shoulder that squeezes soft tissues such as muscles and tendons. "Closed" means that the skin remains intact.

Shoulder contusion: symptoms

A bruised shoulder is accompanied by swelling. The mobility of the affected shoulder is limited due to the pain. Sometimes the impact or blow has left a bruise mark, abrasion, or bruise on the shoulder.

Shoulder contusion: causes and risk factors

Shoulder contusion is the result of blunt trauma: if you suffer a blow or fall on the shoulder, the tissue can be bruised by the external force. This often happens in sports, for example in contact and martial arts such as soccer, hockey, judo or karate. But an accident, for example with a car or bicycle, can also result in a bruised shoulder.

Bruised shoulder: examinations and diagnosis

You should see a doctor to determine whether injury-related shoulder pain is the result of a bruise or some other injury. It will first inquire about the mechanism of the injury and the complaints. Possible questions are:

• How did the injury come about?
• What complaints do you have?
• Where exactly do you feel pain?
• Can you move the shoulder joint easily?

This is followed by the physical exam. The doctor carefully feels the injured shoulder and checks the mobility of the shoulder joint.

With the help of imaging tests, the doctor can rule out other injuries as the cause of the symptoms, such as a bone fracture with an X-ray examination or a ligament injury with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Shoulder contusion: treatment

In the case of a shoulder bruise, the first thing to do is to cool the injured region. This counteracts pain and swelling. For example, you can put an ice pack or a cold compress on the injured shoulder.

A diclofenac ointment bandage can be applied to relieve pain (diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever). If necessary, the doctor can also prescribe stronger pain relievers for the patient to take.

Shoulder contusion: disease course and prognosis

Despite the injury-related pain when moving the shoulder, you should avoid immobilization and relieving posture. Instead, patients should regularly move the shoulder slightly and, under physiotherapeutic guidance, try to increase the range of motion again soon.

How quickly the pain subsides depends on the severity of the bruise. A shoulder bruise usually heals within a few weeks without complications.

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