Why Experiencing a Torn Rotator Cuff Following Receipt of a Vaccine May Entitle You to Compensation Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
When improperly administered, flu shots and other types of vaccinations can lead to serious and, in many cases, debilitating rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that connect the upper arm bone (the humerus) to the shoulder blade (the scapula). The muscles allow the shoulder to rotate, while the tendons connect in the shape of a cuff around the humerus.
If the muscles or tendons in the rotator cuff are damaged during receipt of a vaccination, the result can be one of a number of different shoulder injuries. These injuries, referred to as shoulder injury related to vaccine administration or “SIRVA” for short, typically require treatment ranging from rest to surgery.
Signs of Rotator Cuff Injury Related to Administration of a Vaccine
Because the rotator cuff is a large and important part of the shoulder, individuals who suffer rotator cuff injuries frequently experience significant limitations in arm mobility and functionality. As a result, if you suspect that you may have suffered a related rotator cuff injury, it is advisable that you seek the opinion of a doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Some of the signs that you may have experienced a vaccine-related rotator cuff injury include:
- Shoulder pain that increases with movement of the arm, especially movement to the side or behind the body
- Shoulder pain that worsens at night or in cold weather
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle weakness in the arm
- Sharp, stabbing, or aching shoulder pain
Types of Rotator Cuff Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration
Upon receiving a vaccination, it is important that the vaccine administrator insert the needle into the thickest portion of the deltoid (the main shoulder muscle). If the vaccine is injected too high it can cause damage to the muscles or penetrate the tendons and fluid-filled sacs (bursa) in the shoulder. This causes inflammation that can lead to injuries such as:
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Rotator cuff impingement
- Rotator cuff tear
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Subacromial bursitis
Diagnosis and Treatment for a Rotator Cuff Vaccine Injury
Doctors use a number of different tests to diagnose rotator cuff injuries, including MRIs, CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds and physical examinations.
Thorough testing is important because appropriate forms of treatment can vary depending on the type and extent of a particular shoulder injury. One example is that while tendonitis can heal with rest, frozen shoulder is best treated with exercise and steroid injections. Other possible treatment options may include pain medications, surgery, and physical therapy.
Contact Us Today
If you have suffered a torn rotator cuff related to administration of a vaccine, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses and other losses through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Through the VICP, the government has paid billions of dollars to individuals with rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries, caused by the administration of certain vaccines.
The Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery represents individuals nationwide to assist them with obtaining money for their pain. To find out if you have a claim that is compensable under the VICP, call us at 1-844-789-2047 or contact us today to see if money may be available for you.