Flu shots and other vaccines frequently lead to shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The treatment options for SIRVA range from rest to surgery. If you are suffering from SIRVA, we may be able to help you recover the cost of medical expenses and other losses.
If you have experienced shoulder pain in the hours or days after a vaccination, you could be suffering from SIRVA, or shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. SIRVA can manifest as several diagnoses. Many of which may require treatments ranging from steroid injections, therapies and or even surgery.
Treatment Options for SIRVA
Depending on the severity of your injury, it is possible that your doctor may prescribe one of several options to treat your shoulder pain. Some of the most common forms of treatment for SIRVA include may include:
Rest
In many cases, individuals suffering from SIRVA may benefit from resting the affected area. Many vaccine-related shoulder injuries involve inflammation, and resting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the shoulder can help alleviate the stress that contributes to prolonged inflammation. Note that if your shoulder injury has contributed to an inability to work, it is possible you may be entitled to recover lost wages through the filing of a vaccine lawsuit.
Steroid Injections and Oral Steroids
If rest does not resolve the inflammation, it is possible that your doctor may recommend a series of steroid injections, followed by reduced dosages of oral steroids. Prednisone, hydrocortisone and other corticosteroids can help suppress inflammation, with the goal of alleviating the symptoms of SIRVA. It is important to be aware that steroid treatments may have serious side effects (including high blood pressure, mood swings and increased blood sugar). As such, it is important to consult with your doctor about the risks before deciding which course of treatment that is right for you.
Pain Medication
It is possible that your doctor may prescribe a variety of different pain medications to treat your SIRVA injury. Possible medications could include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as various forms of prescription narcotics. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve the pain of vaccine-related shoulder injury as well. If your doctor recommends surgery you may also receive morphine or other pain medications following your surgical procedure.
Surgery
In some cases, when pain medications and other treatments have failed, surgery may be the only remaining option for treatment of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Many have found surgery, coupled with the wearing of a sling and post-operative physical therapy to be the answer to the pain experienced following the diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear, adhesive capsulitis, or other shoulder injury that resulted from the improper administration of a vaccine.
Physical Therapy
Whether or not surgery is required, treatment plans for SIRVA often include various forms of physical therapy. Vaccine-related shoulder injury frequently results in stiffness, muscle weakness, and limited range of motion, and the resulting non-use (or limited use) of the shoulder during recovery commonly leads to the need to rebuild muscle strength and regain motor control in the arm and shoulder.
Get Help for SIRVA
If you or a loved one has experienced shoulder pain after vaccine administration, the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery may be able to help you recover financial compensation for your injury. To find out if you are entitled to compensation, schedule a free consultation with vaccine shoulder injury lawyer Leah Durant. Call us at 1-844-789-2047 to discuss your case today.