What are the Most Common SIRVA Symptoms?

Did you know? People can get serious shoulder injuries from vaccines. But how does this happen? 

SIRVA stands for Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration. SIRVA injuries occur when a vaccination is injected too high or too deeply into the shoulder. When a vaccine’s needle is misplaced, it may penetrate the shoulder capsule instead of the deltoid muscle.

As a result, the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, and ligaments may become inflamed. This inflammation and irritation is what ultimately causes SIRVA to develop. 

So, what are some of the most common SIRVA symptoms to look for following a vaccination that’s given incorrectly? We’ll discuss these signs and more in this article.

If the following list of symptoms are ones you’re currently experiencing, we want you to know that you’re not alone. Thousands of people every year experience SIRVA injuries. 

The good news is that in the United States, you may be eligible for compensation from the federal government through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Our vaccine injury attorneys help people navigate the court system and ultimately get them the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. 

If you’d like to learn more about the VICP and what we can do for you, call us at (312) 578-9501. We offer free consultations, and our attorneys are licensed to represent anyone in the United States in the U.S. Federal Court of Claims. 

Not ready to speak with someone just yet? No worries. Keep reading to learn more about SIRVA and its symptoms. 

What Are Symptoms of SIRVA to Watch Out For? 

Here are the most common symptoms of shoulder injuries from vaccine administration that we see at our vaccine injury law firm: 

• Shoulder pain within 48 hours after vaccination. If you have SIRVA, you will experience shoulder pain approximately 2 days after getting a vaccine. This pain won’t go away, no matter what you do. It may keep you up at night and disrupt your normal schedule. 
• Reduced range of motion in the affected shoulder. If your shoulder injury gets worse, it will reduce your range of motion. You may find it suddenly difficult to raise your hand above your head. Tasks that you once did with ease are now very hard to do without experiencing pain, such as getting dressed, unloading the dishwasher, or doing laundry. 
• Shoulder joint inflammation. As discussed, SIRVA is caused by inflammation in the shoulder joint. Your entire shoulder may be inflamed, even painful to the touch. It may be swollen and red as well.
  
• Sharp or shooting pains that radiate down your arm. Due to inflammation in your shoulder joint, you may experience shooting pains or throbbing sensations down your arm. The nerves in your shoulder capsule may become pinched as a result of the inflammation, causing these sensations to occur. In rare cases, you may experience numbness or tingling. 

Should I Go to the Doctor if I Have Vaccine Shoulder Injury Symptoms? 

The short yes is always yes. If you have any of the above symptoms of SIRVA, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. 

Tell your doctor about your symptoms and how they occurred following the date of your vaccination. Be honest about how your symptoms are affecting your quality of life. 

You may be diagnosed with a shoulder injury condition related to SIRVA. These diagnoses include Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis), Tendonitis, Shoulder Bursitis, and Rotator Cuff Injuries.

Your doctor will advise you on the best treatment options for your SIRVA injury. 

How Do I Get Treatment for SIRVA Vaccine Symptoms? 

After meeting with your doctor, they may order tests such as an MRI to determine the extent of your shoulder injury. 

Depending on the severity of your SIRVA injury, your doctor may prescribe the following treatment options: 

• Over-the-counter pain medications. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve shoulder pain. If your pain cannot be managed with over-the-counter medications, your doctor may write you a prescription for a stronger pain reliever.
• Steroid injections. Steroid injections are a type of treatment that delivers a high dosage of medication to your shoulder. Corticosteroids may help reduce inflammation in your shoulder joint for a few months at a time. 
• Physical therapy. Your doctor may also refer you to a physical therapist to regain movement in your shoulder. Here are some SIRVA exercises they may have you do. 
• Surgery. If other treatment options don’t work, you may undergo surgery to fully repair your injured shoulder. 

Getting Compensation For a SIRVA Injury 

Have you experienced a SIRVA injury following a vaccination? If so, you may be eligible for compensation from the federal government. 

At Shannon Law Group, we help vaccine injury victims across the United States file petitions for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Founded in 1986, the VICP has been compensating people who suffered an injury due to a vaccine. 

If you received a vaccine recommended for children and pregnant women by the CDC, you’re likely eligible for compensation. You must also file your petition within three (3) years of the date of your vaccination. 

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 without the help of an attorney, but 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. 

Our vaccine injury attorneys at Shannon Law Group are ready to help you after a SIRVA diagnosis. Call us today at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your free consultation. We help people in all 50 states, and we’re happy to answer any of your questions.