Infraspinatus Tear After a Slip and Fall

Infraspinatus Tear After a Slip and Fall Accident in Indiana

There are many different types of shoulder injuries which could be caused in a slip, trip, and fall accident occurring in Indiana. Some of the most common shoulder injuries are those to the rotator cuffs. These four tendons help to move, stabilize, strengthen, and perform regular functions of the arm. One of the most important tendons is the infraspinatus. A person could suffer an infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall that may require surgery, injections, physical therapy, and time from work. If you or a loved one suffered an infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall in Indiana, contact our experienced slip and fall lawyers at Shaw Law for help.

If you or a loved one suffered an infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall in Indiana, contact our experienced slip and fall lawyers for your free consultation.

What is the Infraspinatus Tendon?

The infraspinatus tendon is one of four rotator cuffs in the shoulder that help to stabilize, strength, and move the joint. The infraspinatus is a rotator cuff tendon that is at the back of the shoulder. It attaches the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade, stabilizing the two and allowing the arm to move and rotate outward or externally.

An injured infraspinatus tendon will greater destabilize the shoulder joint and prevent the arm from rotator outwards with full strength. While the arm may still be able to rotator, based on help from the other rotator cuffs, a torn infraspinatus tendon will greatly reduce strength. This is why one of the common tests is to have a patient resist movement from the outward rotator.

An infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall can be partial or full. A partial tear is most common and it will heal itself usually, but still form scar tissue in the muscle or tendon belly. That means the tendon may not have the same range of motion or strength as before, although it will still work normally. A full-thickness tear means that there is a hole in the tendon or muscle, or that the tendon has completely ripped away from the bone. In that situation, which is rare for a fall, surgery is almost always required because of the size and important of the infraspinatus.

Treatment for a Torn Infraspinatus Tendon

Most infraspinatus tendon tears require anti-inflammatories and rest. This may include injections such as cortisone to limit pain and lower inflammation to allow the tendon and the rest of the body’s muscles to heal. The majority of infraspinatus injuries will follow this course of treatment, and then usually require physical therapy to preserve the range of motion. Despite there being no surgery, this is still very painful and can keep an individual out of work for several weeks or months.

When a torn infraspinatus tendon is more severe or not healing, arthroscopy surgery is required. This surgical procedure stitches the tear and also cleans out damaged tissue (debridement). It can also remove or clear other damaged structures from a fall, including bone injuries or breaks. Individuals who have surgery for an infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall will face months of physical therapy and post-op treatment, including strengthening exercises that are both painful and debilitating. This may keep individuals out of work for a long period of time, cost significant medical expenses, and result in a permanent loss of range of motion. Despite these downsides, it may be required to heal and may be a victim’s only options.

How Infraspinatus Tears Occur in a Fall

The infraspinatus tendon is a tough tendon to injury or tear in a fall. This is because of the position of the tendon which is layered over thick, heavy muscles. The tendon is also thick and strong, making it more likely to sustain a fall or other injury-causing mechanism.

But that does not mean that the infraspinatus is impenetrable. The most common ways that this tendon may be injured in a fall includes when the shoulder is violently or forcefully pushed from being and forward. This could occur when a person falls downstairs or in a slip backwards. Any type of motion which separates the shoulder blade from the shoulder itself can result in an infraspinatus tear.

Another common way for an infraspinatus tear is if there is a penetrating injury, such as falling and impaling on an object in a fall. This can result in catastrophic injury to all structures, especially the infraspinatus which often needs a medical procedure to clean the wound and repair damage.

If you or a loved one suffered any type of personal injury, especially a shoulder injury such as an infraspinatus tear after a slip and fall, call our experienced slip and fall lawyers in Indiana at (260) 777-7777 or message us to learn how we can help protect your rights.