Bump or pain at the top of the shoulder after a fall

Overview

Falls onto the shoulder can injure the AC joint.

Collarbone fractures are common.

When to get medical care

Causes

Caused by falls.

OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause bump or pain at the top of the shoulder after a fall. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

• Separated shoulder (AC joint injury)See a doctor if it doesn't get better

  A stretch or tear of the ligaments at the top of the shoulder from falling on it, often with a bump at the top of the shoulder.

Less likely causes

• Dislocated jointOften needs care today

  A joint pushed out of place, most often the shoulder, finger, or kneecap.

What you can do at home

• Use a sling.
• Ice it.

Medicines

Sling, physical therapy, or surgery.

At the doctor

X-rays help.

Questions you may be asked

• Injury

The exam

A shoulder exam.

Tests

• X-rays

Prevention

Prevent falls.

• Protective gear

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Related symptoms

• Arm or wrist that looks bent, or a possible broken arm
• Arm pain
• Big toe bent back or jammed
• Big toe pain
• Bone loss, or a broken bone from a minor fall
• Bone pain that's constant or worse at night, or a lump on a bone or deep in a muscle
• Bony bump at the base of the big toe
• Bulging, twisted, or spider veins in the legs
• Burning or numb patch on the outer thigh
• Burning or pebble-like pain in the ball of the foot
• Burning pain, swelling, and color change in a limb after an injury
• Can't walk on an injured ankle, or the ankle bone is tender
• Collarbone pain or a bump after a fall
• Elbow pain
• Elbow pain and swelling after a fall