6 Upper Half: Arms and Chest

Arm, shoulder, and chest injuries are some of the most common but ignored injuries among farmers and ranchers (CS-CASH, 2024). Whether it’s a sore shoulder from tossing hay bales, aching wrists from gripping tools, or bruised ribs from a close encounter with livestock, these injuries are often seen as “just part of the job.” These unreported issues lead to complications down the road and cause pain and tenderness with most daily tasks. Often, the mechanism of injury (how the injury happened) is repeated and can cause some of the following injuries:

• Shoulder Strains & Rotator Cuff Injuries – Repeated overhead work, heavy lifting, or sudden jerking movements.
• Tendonitis (Elbow & Wrist Pain) – Caused by repetitive gripping, fencing, or handling tools.
• Fractures & Bruising – Falls, crush injuries from livestock, or equipment accidents.
• Rib Injuries – Getting kicked by livestock or impact injuries from machinery.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Shoulder Strain – Weakness, pain when lifting, or limited motion.
• Tendonitis – Aching, stiffness, and swelling around the elbow or wrist.
• Fractures – Swelling, severe pain, bruising, or deformity.
• Rib Injury – Pain when breathing, tenderness, or visible bruising.

Common Conditions Associated with Arms and Chest Injuries:

• Brachial Plexus Injuries – Can occur with forceful arm movements and can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arm and hand
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) – A condition where air accumulates in the space between the lung and the chest wall
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Compression of nerves or blood vessels in the neck and upper chest, often causing pain and numbness in the arm and hand, especially with repetitive arm movements

Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. (2024, July 9). Common injuries

Mayo Clinic. (2025). Chest pain: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chest-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20370838