Philadelphia Shoulder Injury Attorney
Shoulder injuries account for more than 10 million doctor visits per year. Shoulder injuries may occur in many ways, including car accidents, falls, sports accidents, or as a result of overuse or repetitive motion. These injuries often worsen over time, so early detection is very valuable in preventing the development of a chronic condition. At Rosenbaum & Assoicates, a Philadelphia shoulder injury attorney from our team will be able to help you gain the compensation you deserve if you are suffering from this specific injury.
Shoulder dislocation is one of the most common types of shoulder injuries. Dislocation happens when the top of the arm bone comes out of the socket of the shoulder blade. Dislocations are usually the result of some type of impact or pull on the arm. Once a person’s shoulder has been dislocated once, their risk of it happening again is higher. If the patient is young for the first dislocation, there is an even higher chance it will happen again.
Another prevalent shoulder injury is a fractured bone. Sometimes an injury may cause a shoulder bone to partially or completely crack. The most commonly broken bone is the collarbone (clavicle), but fractures also happen to the humerus, just below the ball of the upper arm bone.
About 80% of shoulder fractures are non-displaced, meaning the broken pieces line up on each side of the break. These types of fracture are easier to treat because the broken pieces do not need to be realigned by a doctor in order to heal properly. Non-displaced fractures often heal more quickly and require much less manipulation by the doctor.
The other 20% are displaced fractures, meaning the pieces on each side of the break are out of line. This frequently requires surgery to realign the bones so they may heal properly and the patient may regain full function in their shoulder.
Once a shoulder fracture is set it will be immobilized until it heals. The most often-used immobilization technique is a sling. It usually takes about 3-4 months for the bone to fully heal. Surgery and physical therapy are needed to restore shoulder function and mobility in some cases.
Some patients in Philadelphia experience a condition known as frozen shoulder after a break. It occurs when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint is inflamed. Frozen shoulder causes severely limited movement and pain. Frozen shoulder may develop in people over the age of 40 for no apparent reason. It is also more common in women. Symptoms usually develop gradually over a period of weeks or months. Frozen shoulder often requires a treatment plan, which may include pain medication, stretching, and physical therapy. Left untreated, it nearly always resolves on its own, but it may take several months up to three years.
Tendonitis and bursitis are also common shoulder injuries. Tendonitis affects the fibrous cords that connect bones and muscles. Bursitis affects the bursae, which acts as a cushion between muscles. Both conditions cause pain and difficulty achieving full range of motion in the shoulder.
Trauma to the shoulder from an accident or injury may cause post-traumatic arthritis. This can also result from shoulder surgery performed to treat dislocation. Arthritis may cause cartilage loss, bone damage, bone spurs and soft tissue inflammation. Although some arthritis is general, it can also occur as a result of repetitive activities such as overhead labor, and from previous shoulder injuries.
Many shoulder injuries, especially dislocations and fractures, may be visible to the naked eye depending on their severity. In other cases further diagnostic tools such as CAT or CT Scans, MRIs and X-Rays may be required. The majority of shoulder injuries are treated through pain medication and physical therapy. When surgery is the best choice, many shoulder surgeries can be done arthroscopically and are minimally invasive.
At Rosenbaum & Associates, we offer free consultations, so clients can ask us about the strength and value of their cases with no further obligation or charge. You are always welcome to contact us online or call us toll–free at 1–800–753–4257 if you have suffered from any catastrophic accident.