Shoulder Contusion Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

A shoulder contusion, or bruising of the shoulder muscle, is a mild sports injury that can occur due to a direct blow or a fall. The muscle may be stretched — though it doesn’t tear — and you may have visible bruising just below the skin as well as deeper bruising. While a shoulder contusion is uncomfortable and may temporarily make it difficult to move your arm normally, it’s an injury that typically resolves quickly.

A shoulder contusion usually results from a fall or a direct blow to the shoulder. Any blunt force injury on the shoulder with sufficient force to propel its energy into the muscle can cause a contusion. Contusions are often the result of impact injuries related to sports or accidents. Shoulder contusions are common in these sports:

• Football
• Rugby
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Basketball

If you have a shoulder contusion, you may have these symptoms:

• Pain around the shoulder joint
• Ecchymoses, or ‘black and blue’ shoulder bruising or redness
• Swelling in the shoulder area

If you have a shoulder contusion, you are usually able to raise your arm, but may have some discomfort.

Although a shoulder contusion doesn’t usually require medical treatment, you may need to see your doctor to make sure that you don’t have a more serious injury. Make an appointment if you fall on your shoulder and have swelling and pain that gets worse instead of better, have a lot of shoulder bruising, or have trouble moving your arm or hand. In some cases, hand contusions may occur simultaneously due to bracing during a fall. Your doctor will ask you about your injury and your symptoms and examine your arm. In order to rule out another injury, your doctor may order an X-ray or MRI to get a better look at the bones and soft tissues of your shoulder.

Shoulder contusions are always treated nonoperatively. Conservative treatments include:

• Rest, including taking a break from play and avoiding heavy lifting
• Using a sling to rest your shoulder, if recommended by your doctor
• Icing your shoulder (every one to two hours for 20 minutes) – The general recommendation is to avoid heat during the first 24–48 hours to avoid increasing the extent of bleeding and swelling.
• Over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, if needed

Severe contusions are often treated by a Physical Therapist or an Athletic Trainer. They are often the best people to advise you on when it is safe to return to your sport.

Shoulder Contusion

After a shoulder contusion, you may be able to restart normal activities after just a few days, though more severe contusions may require several weeks of resting your shoulder. You should start stretching exercises within a few days of your injury and progress to strengthening and weight-bearing shoulder exercises, under the guidance of your doctor or physical therapist. You can return to play once you’ve regained your full range of motion and strength in the shoulder.