Pain in Your Shoulder? Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Manchester can Help
People rely on a well-functioning shoulder to perform many daily activities. When a person injures their shoulder, they can experience excruciating pain as well as a loss of strength in the affected arm. These injuries require immediate medical attention and plenty of rest.
At Burch and Stewart, our personal injury attorneys have helped many accident victims in Manchester get the compensation they need following an accident. Contact us to get started.
A Close Look at the Shoulder
Like the knee, a human shoulder is complex. Multiple bones meet at the joint, which itself has component parts. If something goes wrong with the shoulder, a person can feel intense pain from even the slightest movement.
A shoulder is made up of the following:
- Upper arm bone, called the humerus
- Collarbone, called the clavicle
- Shoulder blade, called the scapula
- Bony projections—the acromion and coracoid process—which form the joint
- Rotator cuff, which connects the humerus to the scapula
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Cartilage, including the labrum that keeps the humerus in position
- Fluid sacs, called bursae, which ease friction
Injury to any one of these parts can be disabling. Traumatic accidents can cause multiple injuries and fractures, leading to a complete loss of the arm.
Shoulder Accidents and Injuries
Our clients have injured their shoulders in many types of accidents, including car wrecks, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and slip and falls. Any trauma to the arm or shoulder can lead to injury.
Other injuries are slower to develop and are caused by repetitive motions that inflame the bursae or damage cartilage. This type of repetitive stress injury can be just as disabling as one caused by blunt force trauma.
One common injury is a rotator cuff tear. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and weakness when trying to move the arm. You might also hear “popping” or grinding sounds whenever moving the arm.
Another injury is a labral tear, which is common when falling or being involved in car accidents. Symptoms are similar to those with a rotator cuff injury.
Many victims also suffer AC injuries, which affect the acromioclavicular joint. A person can fracture the bone or strain soft tissue, depending on the severity of the accident. In extreme cases, bones can separate when the ligaments are severely damaged.
Receiving Medical Care for Your Shoulder Injury
The first sign of any shoulder injury is pain. However, pain can be present for relatively minor soft-tissue injuries or major bone fractures. Go to a doctor who can closely examine your shoulder, using an imaging test like an X-ray, if necessary.
Some shoulder injuries respond to conservative treatment such as ice, anti-inflammatory medication, compression, and physical therapy. Other injuries are so serious that a patient might need surgery. Substantial rest is also typically required to give the injury time to heal.
Obtain the Compensation You Need
Our Manchester, TN shoulder injury lawyers have helped many clients obtain compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Shoulder injuries can financially devastate victims, so working with an experienced attorney is essential. Contact Burch & Stewart today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our firm.