Shoulder injuries account for 13 percent of injuries reported by workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While recovering, workers miss an average of 21 days. An estimated 7.5 million U.S. citizens visit doctors or emergency rooms with shoulder pain each year.
From simple sprains and strains to fractures and dislocations, shoulder injuries are serious and can be severe. At Pain Stop MD, we offer full medical care for workers with all different shoulder conditions. We know the process of recovering from a work injury while collecting the appropriate documentation to file workers’ compensation claims, either through the Department of Labor or Texas workers’ compensation program.
We give medical care to all workers, including the following:
- Postal Workers
- Construction workers
- Office workers and clerks
- Jail and prison workers
- TSA employees
- Registered nurses
- Forest service employees
- Compliance officers
Each shoulder injury is treated with the same care and thoroughness by our board-certified physician through:
- Learning about the patient’s medical history
- Listening to the detailed story of the work injury
- Examining the patient
- Running the necessary diagnostic tests
- Analyzing the results of exams and tests
- Making a diagnosis
- Creating a treatment plan with the input of the patient
- Guiding the patient through treatment while making necessary changes
If you haven’t found a successful solution for your injury or pain through other doctors, we encourage you to contact us at Pain Stop MD to find the right medical professionals familiar with on-the-job injuries.
Book a consultation today with our doctor or talk to our medical professionals about our services.
Different Shoulder Injuries for Workers and Federal Employees
Which incidents are more common in the workplace depends on the type of work an employee does. Those who repeatedly lift heavy objects over their head are at a higher risk for shoulder injuries than those who do not. We’ve listed the most common types below.
- Dislocations. When the bone of an arm pops out of its shoulder blade socket.
- Separations. Damage to the ligaments that hold your collarbone to your shoulder blade
- Rotator cuff tendinitis. The inflammation of the tendons that connect your muscles to your bones in the shoulder area.
- Rotator cuff tears. Tearing of the tendons that connect your muscles to the bones of your shoulder blade area
- Frozen shoulders. When overuse or an event causes stiffness, pain, and lack of range of motion in the shoulder area.
- Fractures. Breaking of a bone in the shoulder area, such as the collarbone, upper arm, or shoulder blade.
Medical attention is important for all of the above, and they should be treated with thought and care from a doctor. Knowing why the on-the-job injury took place and what needs to be done to prevent similar types of injuries in the future is important for patients during and after treatment.
Here’s what to do after a workplace shoulder injury:
- Report the injury to your manager.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Collect all relevant evidence and documentation related to the injury.
- Follow the advice of your doctor closely.
- File a worker’s compensation claim, if necessary.
Primary Causes
Shoulder injuries can take place whether you’re an office worker or construction worker, but the majority occur during physical, non-sedentary jobs. They can occur due to one accident or incident, or develop over a long period of time.
Here are the four top causes:
- Lifting. Incorrect lifting techniques or excessive lifting can lead serious shoulder conditions, such as rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, and shoulder separation.
- Falling. We instinctively put our arms out to save other parts of our body when we fall, so falls can often lead to shoulder, arm, and hand injuries, such as damage to the rotator cuff, dislocation, or a shoulder fracture.
- Auto accidents. Driving or riding in a vehicle for work puts you at risk for injury from a traffic or auto accident. Dislocations, fractures, sprains, and strains can all result from auto accidents, even at low speeds.
- Overuse and repetitive motions. Overuse of the shoulder throughout the day, through lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying, can have consequences such as rotator cuff tendonitis or frozen shoulder. They both require medical treatment, as well as a reevaluation of how workers are performing their daily tasks to ensure that similar incidents don’t occur in the future.
Signs of a Shoulder Injury
You may not always have the luxury of knowing you have a shoulder injury. Sometimes you’ll know when it happens, but sometimes you’ll be less sure, like with chronic shoulder injuries that develop over time. These warning signs should alert you to see a doctor:
- Stiffness. You may be suffering from any number of shoulder conditions if you’re experiencing stiffness in your shoulder area. Signs of stiffness may present themselves in different ways, sometimes in the morning or from a lack of full range of motion.
- Instability. Feeling like your shoulder could pop out of its socket or slide out of place at any moment is a sign of instability. You may feel instability most when you lift your arms.
- Weakness. Is one of your shoulders considerably stronger than the other? Is your normal shoulder strength suddenly gone? Shoulder conditions can often lead to weakness in the surrounding areas and should be looked into by a medical professional.
- Pain. The easiest way to tell that you are injured is feeling pain. The causes of pain can vary, from sprains, strains, broken bones, dislocations, or other injuries. Pain shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it is chronic and prevents you from working.
Successful Treatments
The shoulder includes bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, and it’s a complex body part that needs all these parts working healthily in order for patients to have a full range of motion without pain. The team at Pain Stop MD will help you engage in the proper treatment after diagnosing your shoulder conditions. These treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Pain management. Our clinic can provide safe and effective pain management regimens to cure you of any aches. Whether it be long-term or short-term pain, it should not affect your life.
- Physical therapy. A little bit of physical therapy goes a long way, and over time can make a significant difference in healing injuries, regaining range of motion, and preventing injuries in the future.
- Injection. Sometimes, even with pain management and physical therapy, patients need a little extra help to get their shoulders into good shape again. Steroid injections can be great tools for giving patients an extra boost, especially with rotator cuffs, or with ongoing pain.
- Surgery. Most patients won’t need any surgery, but for some it is the only way to get back on track to good shoulder health. Consult with a doctor about the option of a surgical procedure to see if it’s the right treatment for you.
Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can help you both healthier and back to work faster. Receiving the compensation you deserve requires the right documentation and paperwork.
Pain Stop MD Helping You Get Healthy
Pain Stop MD can provide you the right diagnosis and treatment whether you’ve suffered a one-time shoulder accident at work that requires short-term medical treatment, of if you’ve suffered from a chronic shoulder condition that limits the tasks you can perform at work. We serve the Dallas area, including Ennis, Denton, and Waco, and are committed to helping workers get healthy to return to work pain-free.
We offer acute care, chronic pain management, physical therapy and physiotherapy, and surgery, among a full range of medical services
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our board-certified doctor or learn more about services.