| Shoulder Injury |
Information on this page is not intended as a substitute for a medical evaluation by a qualified provider. Shoulder InjuryThe shoulder is the most flexible and mobile joint in the body. This very mobility makes it prone to injury. People with shoulder injuries often have a lot of lifting restrictions, especially overhead activity. This can mean nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNA’s) can’t help patients off the bed or into/out of the shower. For truck drivers, it can mean the inability to check their load and unload their truck. For a carpenter or tradesman, it can mean no swinging of a hammer. For a painter, it can mean no sustained strength activities, such as brush-strokes. In a child care and teaching situation, it can mean no lifting of children. Common types of shoulder injury include: Torn Rotator Cuff: Rotator Cuffs connect the humerus (bone in the upper part of the arm) to the scapula (shoulder blade). A common symptom of a rotator cuff tear is pain at the top and front of the shoulder or the outer side of the upper arm which may increase when the arm is lifted in the overhead position. Pain is usually worse at night and often interrupts sleep. Although some people get relief from physical therapy, a rotator cuff tear frequently requires surgical repair. Dislocation: This occurs when the head of the humerus slips out of the shoulder socket. It can cause intense pain and immobilization (“frozen shoulder”). When a shoulder is immobilized by pain, changes take place within the joint. Adhesions can grow between the bones of the shoulder joint and limit movement and compromise the availability of normal fluids. When conservative measures fail, the shoulder can be manipulated under anesthesia. Our Workers’ Compensation lawyers may be able to help you obtain appropriate medical care, as well as help to ensure you receive all of the workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled. |
