Shoulder Bursitis from Vaccination

 

Every year, you get a vaccine or two to protect yourself and those around you from serious illnesses. Following vaccination, your shoulder is usually sore for a few days, and then it goes away.

But a few weeks ago, you got a vaccine, and it hurt like nothing before. Your symptoms seem different. Your shoulder is a lot more painful than usual, and you’re slowly losing the ability to move it. Simple tasks like getting dressed or unloading the dishwasher are now extremely painful. 

Concerned, you go to your doctor to figure out what’s going on with your shoulder. Your doctor examines your shoulder and orders an MRI.

You’re eventually diagnosed with shoulder bursitis. How could this have happened? You mention that your shoulder pain started after getting a vaccine.

Your doctor says that the vaccine is likely the cause of your shoulder bursitis. It’s a diagnosis related to SIRVA, which stands for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration

Where do you go from here?

There’s a program called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, or VICP, that offers compensation to folks who have been diagnosed with shoulder bursitis from certain vaccines recommended by the FDA for children and pregnant women. Vaccines covered in the program include the seasonal influenza vaccine and TDaP shot. 

If you are currently experiencing this shoulder injury from a vaccine right now, we are here for you. Please call our office at (312) 578-9501, and one of our experienced attorneys will be available to talk with you.

If you’re not quite ready to talk with an attorney yet, keep reading to learn more about shoulder bursitis from vaccination, including how it’s diagnosed and treated. We also explore how to qualify for SIRVA compensation.

How Does Shoulder Bursitis After Vaccine Happen?

As stated above, SIRVA is a shoulder injury that results from an improperly administered vaccine. SIRVA can happen when the medical provider doesn’t landmark someone’s arm properly. As a result, the administrator places it in the wrong location of the arm or inserts it too deeply into the shoulder.

When this happens, one of the few possible injuries that can occur is shoulder bursitis. 

Common Symptoms of Bursitis from Vaccine

Shoulder bursitis can happen when a vaccine injures the bursa in the shoulder. The bursa is a fluid-like sac in between the shoulder joints and tendons that help the shoulder joint move and bend without it being painful. When a vaccine is administered here, this can cause the bursa to grow and become inflamed, causing the hallmark pain that is associated with it. 

So, what should you be on the lookout for when you suspect a vaccine-related shoulder bursitis diagnosis? Here are a few hallmark signs: 

  • Shoulder pain within 48 hours. The pain can be present right away, but typically the pain will slowly get worse over 48 hours. Over weeks and months, your shoulder pain will persist despite treatment. 
  • Reduced range of motion. You may not be able to brush your hair, or do other daily activities that you used to be able to do.
  • Pain and tenderness on top of your shoulder. Your shoulder may feel warm to the touch, be a bit red, or experience immense pain.
  • Shoulder and/or arm weakness and stiffness. Your shoulder may feel stiff or weak if you decide to not be moving it as much as usual. 

We recommend that you speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Your doctor will be able to help diagnose you and properly treat whatever condition you may be experiencing.

Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam, along with an X-ray or MRI. 

What Options Are Available for SIRVA Bursitis Treatment? 

There are a few ways that shoulder bursitis is treated. Your treatment course will vary depending on the severity of your shoulder injury. 

Your doctor may prescribe a combination of physical therapy, steroid shots, and prescription pain medication.

The steroid shots and pain medication help reduce the pain and inflammation in your shoulder. Physical therapy will help you regain strength and range of motion. 

If these treatment options don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery. 

Speak with your doctor to start treating you as soon as possible. The faster you start treatment for your condition, the better it will be in the long term. 

How to Get Compensation for Shoulder Bursitis from Vaccine

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is here to help give you the compensation you need to get back to normal life. 

To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria. First, you must have received a covered vaccine. All covered vaccines are listed on the Vaccine Injury Table

If you’ve received a covered vaccine, you also need to be aware that must file a claim within three (3) years of the onset of your SIRVA injury. Lastly, your symptoms must last for at least six (6) months following vaccination. 

Contact Us Our SIRVA Attorneys Today

No matter where you are in the United States, our attorneys are able to help file a petition in the VICP on your behalf at no cost to you.

If you’re ready to get started, our attorneys at Shannon Law Group are here for you.  We’ve helped many people like yourself who have experienced shoulder bursitis get on the path to recovery. Please fill out the form on this page or give our office a call now at (312) 578-9501 to speak to one of our vaccine injury attorneys.

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