Fractures are broken bone injuries to the clavicle, proximal humerus (the top of the upper arm bone), and the scapula.
Dislocations happen when the bones on the opposite sides of a joint fail to connect or line up.
Soft tissue injuries involve tears in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and the joint capsule of the shoulder, including rotator cuff tears and labral (SLAP) tears.