Tendinitis from Vaccines: SIRVA Symptoms and Signs You Should Know

Did you know that you can get a shoulder injury from a routine vaccination?

It’s called SIRVA (short for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration). SIRVA isn’t well known. While it’s a rare side effect of the vaccination process, it happens more often than folks think. 

SIRVA can occur when the needle from the vaccine is either placed too high on the shoulder or too deep into the muscle. This misplaced needle can injure the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the shoulder to become damaged and inflamed. A multitude of shoulder injuries can happen due to SIRVA, including tendinitis.

If you have recently been diagnosed with tendinitis from a vaccine and are ready to speak to someone about your injury, our vaccine injury lawyers are here to help. You may be eligible for compensation in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, but time is limited. Call our office anytime at (312) 578-9501, and someone will be available. 

Otherwise, if you aren’t ready just yet, that’s okay. Keep reading below to learn about tendinitis, its link to SIRVA, and what you can expect during the treatment process for this injury. 

How Does a Vaccine Cause Shoulder Tendinitis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder. The tendons are what help keep the muscles and bones connected together. As stated before, this inflammation stems from the vaccine being improperly administered and penetrating the shoulder tendons, causing SIRVA. 

It’s important to note that SIRVA is an umbrella term to explain that your specific injury (tendinitis) was caused by a vaccine. There are other conditions associated with SIRVA, so it’s important to speak to your doctor about your concerns. They will properly diagnose and treat your shoulder injury. 

If you are concerned about a possible tendinitis diagnosis from a vaccine, what are the common SIRVA-related symptoms to be on the lookout for?

Here are a few:

• Shoulder pain within 48 hours progressively gets worse. It may feel sore at first, but as time goes on the pain is progressing more than usual. It may even be keeping you up at night. 
• Reduced range of motion. You suddenly find it hard to get dressed, brush your hair, or do other daily activities you used to have no issue doing. 
• Pain and tenderness on top of your shoulder. Your upper shoulder feels tender and hot to the touch.  
• Shoulder and/or arm weakness and stiffness. Using your arm doesn’t feel the same anymore; it’s hard to lift common objects, such as a gallon of milk. 

What Can I Expect While Seeking SIRVA Treatment?

When you go speak to your doctor, they will perform a physical examination. They will also ask questions about what you’ve done recently with your shoulder. Afterward, they may schedule an X-ray and/or MRI to help rule out other shoulder injuries, including tendinitis. 

After an official tendinitis diagnosis, there are several courses of treatment available depending on the severity of the injury:

• Physical Therapy. To help preserve the function left in the shoulder and arm muscles, physical therapy is often the first course of treatment for tendinitis. Not only does it help preserve muscle function, but it also rehabilitates your shoulder. Physical therapy is commonly paired with pain medication, either over-the-counter or prescribed.
• Steroid Injections. Also called corticosteroids, these injections may be recommended to reduce swelling and inflammation in the tendons.  
• Surgery. Surgery is used as a last resort. A doctor may recommend this option if other treatments don’t work. Surgery can help repair the damage and remove scar tissue. 

It can be overwhelming to experience SIRVA. The pain is immense, and you don’t know what to expect.

Thankfully, with treatment, SIRVA symptoms go away. In rare cases, people may experience permanent symptoms, including shoulder pain and weakness.

There’s no exact time frame. For some people, it goes away after a few months. For others, it can take years. In rare cases, people may experience permanent symptoms, including shoulder pain and weakness. 

If you have questions about SIRVA and your treatment options, talk to your doctor.

How to Get Compensation for Shoulder Tendinitis from Vaccination

If you received a covered vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Unfortunately, not every vaccine is currently covered by the VICP. Covered vaccinations are listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

They are approved for children and pregnant women to receive. Commonly covered vaccines include the seasonal flu shot, TdaP vaccine, HPV vaccinations, and many more. 

In addition to receiving a covered vaccine, there are a few more requirements to qualify for SIRVA compensation.

First, you must have symptoms from your shoulder injury for at least 6 months in order to file a claim.

Second, you must file your petition within three (3) years of the onset of your symptoms. 

Types of SIRVA Compensation Available

Under the VICP, you’re entitled to the following types of compensation: 

• Past out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• Future medical expenses.
• Past and future lost wages.
• Pain and suffering (up to $250,00). 

You can file a petition in the VICP without the help of an attorney. However, we recommend hiring a vaccine injury lawyer to help you. It costs you nothing, as the court pays for your attorney’s fees. Having a lawyer on your side throughout the process can make things significantly easier. 

When you hire a lawyer, they will work on your claim so you can focus on getting better. Your attorney will draft every single document and form necessary for your petition to be successful.

In addition, they also work on getting any documentation needed for your petition, such as your medical records to show proof of injury. Not to mention, you’ll have the lawyer’s expertise on your side. 

Contact Us Today for a Free SIRVA Consultation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with tendinitis following vaccination, we are here for you. Our SIRVA lawyers at Shannon Law Group help people who experience tendinitis from vaccination. We work vigorously on their cases so that they can recover emotionally, physically, and financially from their vaccine injury.

Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call now at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get started.