JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Each year, more than four million Americans seek medical treatment for rotator cuff injuries. Many of these injuries are caused by workplace accidents.

The rotator cuff includes the muscles and tendons of the shoulder. These are the muscles that allow your arm to rotate and move up and down. You are at risk of injuring these muscles if your job involves lifting or reaching objects overhead. Construction workers, warehouse workers, stock persons, laborers, painters, maintenance workers, and athletes are just some of those who have a high risk of rotator cuff injuries.

If your shoulders ache after work, you may be overusing your rotator cuff. Rotator Cuff Injuries are the most common cause of shoulder pain. Common rotator cuff injuries include:

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis:
  When the shoulder is overused, the tendons in the rotator cuff can become inflamed. At first, the pain may feel like a mild ache. It may come and go. Over time, the pain will get worse. It may spread to the arm and shoulder. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury but may include ice therapy, heat therapy, rest, massage, physical therapy, cortisone injection, and surgery. Untreated rotator cuff tendonitis can progress to rotator cuff tears or shoulder impingement syndrome.
• Rotator Cuff Tear
  Rotator cuff tears can result from untreated rotator cuff tendonitis. Rotator cuff tears can also result from trauma or overexertion. Symptoms include pain, loss of strength, difficulty raising the arm overhead, and pain when sleeping on one’s side. Surgery is often the recommended treatment; however, it may not be effective when the rotator cuff is injured due to chronic overuse.  When surgery is not an option, the best treatment is long-term physical therapy.
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
  When a tendon in the rotator cuff becomes inflamed, it can swell, putting pressure on the other tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff. Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome include mild pain that intensifies when the arm is lifted or lowered and weakness in the shoulder. The pain can become intense if a bursa in the shoulder also becomes compressed. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and surgery.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. Work-related shoulder injuries are covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation insurance.  If you are diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury, you will need to let your shoulder rest. You will need to avoid any activities that put stress on your shoulder during your recovery period. Workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and part of your salary while you are unable to work.

If you have questions about medical care or Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits, please request a free copy of our book, Your Guide to PA Workers‘ Compensation. If you’d like to discuss your case with an Allentown work injury lawyer, contact Mednick, Mezyk, and Kredo at 888-807-WORK to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation.