Shoulder Fracture Specialist

Jonathan Oheb, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & Hand Surgeon located in Beverly Hills, CA & Encino, CA

Shoulder trauma is a common injury for those involved auto accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries. Fortunately for children and adults in Beverly Hills, Encino, and Mission Hills, California, Dr. Jonathan Oheb can expertly diagnose and treat all types of shoulder fractures. If you injure your shoulder and suspect a bone is broken, it’s best to have it treated right away to avoid further complications. For an appointment with an experienced orthopedic surgeon, call either of Dr. Oheb’s offices, or schedule an appointment using the online system.

Shoulder Fracture Q & A

What are the types of a shoulder fractures?

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A shoulder fracture can be extremely painful, especially because you can break your shoulder several different ways. A shoulder fracture may involve your clavicle (collarbone), your scapula (shoulder blade), or your humerus (the upper bone in your arm). You can also dislocate the joint from its shoulder socket, and although this is not a fracture, it usually needs to be put back into place carefully by a trained physician.

What are the symptoms of a shoulder fracture?

Before getting an X-ray, you may not know if your shoulder is broken, dislocated, or if you just strained a muscle. If you were involved in an accident and you’re in pain, look for any of the following symptoms that could indicate a broken shoulder:

Swelling and tenderness around your shoulder
Bruising on your upper arm
Limited range of motion in your arm or shoulder
A bump or irregularity around your shoulder or collarbone
Pain or grinding when you try to move your arm or shoulder
Sagging shoulder appearance

How are shoulder fractures treated?

Treatment for a fractured shoulder varies depending on which bone you break and the severity of the injury. In some cases, if the fracture hasn’t caused the bones to move out of place, you may be able to heal without surgery. Dr. Oheb might instead use an arm or shoulder sling to keep your shoulder immobilized as your bones repair themselves.

Additionally, physical therapy may be part of the healing process, because it’s important to maintain some form of the motion to prevent your shoulder from becoming stiff. Typically, you begin with gentle movements and as your pain decreases, Dr. Oheb increases your exercises to rebuild strength in your arm and shoulder.

If you require surgery to repair your shoulder, Dr. Oheb puts the fractured area of bone back into position and holds it together with medical hardware such as plates, pins, and screws. This hardware keeps your bones in place as they heal, and may remain in your shoulder. If they present a problem later, you may need a second surgical procedure to remove the pins or screws.

Dr. Oheb has two offices located conveniently in Los Angeles County and patients drive from all over just to see him. Patients travel from areas such as West Hills, Canoga Park, Winnetka, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills, Chatsworth, North Hills, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Mission Hills, San Fernando, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, Burbank, and Glendale.

If you’ve injured your shoulder and think it may be fractured, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a highly-qualified orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Oheb. That way, you can avoid future complications such as loss of mobility or arthritis in your shoulder. Call the office that’s convenient for you or schedules an appointment online.

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