Shoulder Tendonitis After a Car Accident
Shoulder tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that could develop in the joint space following a traumatic event. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. This means that the ball, which is the head of the humerus, needs to fit comfortably within the cavity, called the glenoid. The glenoid then connects to the scapula, which helps to rotate the arm in every direction. There are numerous ways in which people might injure their shoulder. Some of these include:
- A direct impact to the shoulder in a slip and fall accident.
- Repetitive heavy lifting or with repeated motions (such as in baseball or swimming).
- Dislocations of the shoulder which might happen while playing sports or during a fall.
- A blow to the shoulder in an auto accident, particularly those that involve vehicular ejection.
If someone has been diagnosed with a shoulder injury, this could lead to tendonitis down the road.
Shoulder Tendonitis: An Overview
The term tendonitis is used to describe inflammation that develops in or around a tendon. In the case of shoulder tendonitis, inflammation develops where the muscles insert into the bones of the shoulder. This typically occurs in the area of the rotator cuff. Following a motor vehicle accident, the shoulder might become inflamed due to an injury. This inflammatory process can damage the rotator cuff muscles. Those who have shoulder tendonitis may experience a variety of symptoms. These include:
- Swelling in the shoulder and upper arm.
- Pain in the shoulder that gets worse when the arm is raised or lowered.
- A “clicking” feeling that happens when the arm is raised.
- Stiffness of the shoulder.
- A loss in the range of motion of the shoulder.
Shoulder tendonitis can make it hard for individuals to help out around the house, perform manual labor, or go to work. This could also lead to the development of chronic pain.
Treatment Options for Tendonitis in the Shoulder
If someone has been diagnosed with shoulder tendonitis, there are several treatment options. Some of these include:
- Complete rest from shoulder activity to give the muscles time to relax.
- Applying ice packs to the shoulder.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Naproxen.
Sometimes, conservative treatment isn’t enough. In this case, individuals might find it helpful to enroll in physical therapy. These specialists can help individuals regain strength and mobility in their shoulder. Steroid injections can also help provide inflammatory relief. Steroids are placed within the shoulder cavity itself to reduce inflammation in the rotator cuff.
Watch YouTube Video: How to Treat Tendonitis in the Shoulder. This video demonstrates how to treat tendonitis in the shoulder using a resistance exercise band.
Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer
Once an individual has sought medical care for his or her shoulder injury, it is essential to meet with a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. An experienced accident attorney has access to a variety of resources that could be helpful. These include:
- Accident reconstruction experts who can help figure out what happened at the accident scene.
- Review of records from the accident and the injury, making sure that none of the essential details have been overlooked.
- Shifting a case to the courts when necessary.
Help is always available. Nobody needs to face this difficult situation alone. Trust in the expertise of a Sacramento car accident lawyer. You and your family could be owed a significant monetary award.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. If someone develops shoulder tendonitis following a road traffic accident, this could lead to long-term health complications that could make it hard to return to work. Should you or someone you love develop shoulder problems following a car accident, please reach out to me by calling (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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