What Should I Do After a Shoulder Injury?
Shoulder injuries are as common as they are painful and debilitating. A severe shoulder injury can disrupt your ability to work, engage in recreational activities, perform daily activities including hygiene and dressing, and even sleep. If you suffered a serious shoulder injury in an event caused by someone’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, your lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Read on to learn about shoulder injuries and how to respond, and call a knowledgeable NYC personal injury attorney if you or someone you care about has been hurt by someone else’s negligence in New York City.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries can arise from any number of impact-based accidents as well as certain medical conditions that develop over time. In many cases, shoulder injuries result from the negligent actions of other parties. Some of the more common causes of shoulder injuries include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Car crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Sports injuries, including tennis, swimming, pitching baseballs, and weightlifting
- Repetitive stressful motions such as overhead lifting
- Bike and pedestrian accidents
Common Types of Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder can suffer injury in a variety of ways. Shoulder injuries can involve damage to the joints, muscles, ligaments, or tendons, or the shoulder can suffer a direct impact fracture. Different types of shoulder injuries lead to different levels of discomfort and disability and carry different prognoses for recovery. Some of the more common types of shoulder injury include:
- Dislocation. When the shoulder is bent in the wrong direction or otherwise overextended, the top of the arm can pop out of the socket. This can cause severe pain, weakness, numbness, and bruising.
- Separation. A shoulder separation occurs when sudden trauma damages the ligaments around the joint that connect the collarbone and the shoulder blade.
- Fracture. Hard impacts can lead to a bone fracture. The most common shoulder-related fractures affect the collarbone (clavicle) and the humerus (the arm bone near the shoulder).
- Rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is comprised of a group of muscles and tendons holding the shoulder joint together. Overuse, overextension, or sudden impact can tear those muscles or tendons, causing severe pain and limited range of motion.
- Bursitis. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac cushioning the joint. Repetitive motions over time can cause the bursa to get swollen and irritated, as can a sudden fall or other impact injury.
Injuries to the tendons, muscles, and ligaments of the shoulder are more common than bone fractures. Shoulder injuries often arise from overuse, either in the workplace or through athletic endeavors. Athletes often contract shoulder injuries due to repetitive, intensive training regimens.
Dealing With a Shoulder Injury
Shoulder injuries should not be taken lightly. Many people try to “work through the pain,” believing the shoulder will just heal itself. However, continued use after an injury can exacerbate the injury, causing something temporary to become permanent.
If you identify a shoulder injury, see a doctor immediately. They may apply a sling or splint, depending on the nature of the injury, or they may advise a variety of treatments including rest, icing, and special exercises. Ultimately, shoulder injuries often require strengthening exercises to heal fully, although it’s important to start those exercises only when appropriate. Exercises might include things like wall push-ups, strengthening bands, or press-ups.
The most severe shoulder injuries may require surgery to correct. Surgery may be necessary to repair the rotator cuff, remove or repair the labrum, remove inflamed tissue or loose cartilage, or fix a problem causing repeated dislocation. Talk to your doctor about your injury and the best pathway for your recovery. If you were injured through someone else’s negligence, call a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer for advice and representation about how to obtain compensation.
Considered Advice and Zealous Representation for Your New York Personal Injury Claim
If you or someone you love has been hurt by someone else’s negligence in New York City, find out if you’re entitled to money damages for your injuries by contacting the dedicated and talented New York car crash injury Leandros A. Vrionedes for a free consultation at 212-889-9362 or 718-777-5895.
