Differential Diagnosis for Shoulder Injury from Falling on Shoulder
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Clavicle Fracture: This is the most common fracture resulting from a fall onto the shoulder, as the clavicle is a relatively fragile bone that can easily break under the force of impact.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Separation: A fall onto the shoulder can cause the AC joint to separate, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Shoulder Dislocation: The force of the fall can cause the humerus to dislocate from the glenoid cavity, resulting in severe pain and limited arm movement.
- Rotator Cuff Strain or Tear: The rotator cuff muscles and tendons can be injured during a fall, leading to pain, weakness, and limited shoulder mobility.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumothorax: A fall onto the shoulder can cause a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) if the force of the impact is transmitted to the chest cavity, which can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Subclavian Vessel Injury: The subclavian artery or vein can be injured during a fall onto the shoulder, leading to severe bleeding or other complications.
- Brachial Plexus Injury: The brachial plexus nerves can be stretched or torn during a fall, resulting in numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the arm.
Rare Diagnoses
- Scapular Fracture: While less common than clavicle fractures, scapular fractures can occur due to a fall onto the shoulder, especially if the force of the impact is directed towards the scapula.
- Glenoid Fracture: A fracture of the glenoid cavity can occur due to a fall onto the shoulder, although this is relatively rare.
- Osteochondral Lesion of the Glenohumeral Joint: A fall onto the shoulder can cause an osteochondral lesion (a piece of cartilage and bone) to break off from the glenohumeral joint, leading to pain and limited mobility.