Shoulder Impingement After a Slip and Fall

Shoulder Impingement Injuries After a Slip and Fall Accident in Indiana

A slip and fall accident that can lead to a shoulder impingement injury if someone forcefully lands right on their shoulder, or if their arm is stretched out too far. An impingement injury isn’t limited to only a shoulder, it can happen in the hip as well (although the most common type of impingement from a slip and fall occurs to the shoulder). This type of injury can be a nuisance because it can be difficult to treat and very painful, often requiring prolonged physical therapy, cortisone injections, and even surgery. If you have shoulder impingement after a slip and fall, call our experienced slip and fall lawyers at Shaw Law in Indiana to learn how we can help you.

What is Impingement

An impingement happens when tendons and connective tissues get pinched in an area often between two boney processes. This can create both a pinching irritation but also friction which is painful and may severely limit a person’s range of mobility. For example, they may not be able to raise their arm for shoulder impingement or lift their leg for hip impingement.

Having a limited range of mobility may one’s impact quality of life, and the ability of one to perform their job. Because a shoulder impingement is similar to other shoulder injuries like bursitis and tendonitis, or even a torn rotator cuff, a medical professional should be consulted for a definitive diagnosis.

Our experienced slip and fall lawyers in Indiana can help you and your family recover compensation for shoulder injuries including pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, loss of consortium, and other damages. Contact our attorneys for your free consultation.

Most Common Types of Shoulder Impingement

There are several types of shoulder impingement after a slip and fall that you should always consult with an experienced lawyer for help handling your case.

These types include the following:

• Posterosuperior glenoid rim impingement
• Anterior acromial impingement
• Subcoracoid impingement
• Suprascapular nerve impingement

Causes of Shoulder Impingement

When the shoulder’s rotator cuff gets inflamed from excessive or repetitive rubbing, it is commonly referred to as a shoulder impingement.

This can happen in three main ways:

• The first possibility is that a person is born with a deformed shoulder blade or a shoulder blade has developed bone spurs leading to friction and irritation.
• The second possibility comes the inflammation of the shoulder’s bursa sacs, which are there to help the tendons and muscles glide without friction. Repetitive overuse or a traumatic injury can inflame the bursa sacs.
• The final possibility happens when a tendon is swollen or torn. This can happen with a repetitive activity, or it can happen suddenly, like when someone has a slip and fall accident.

Medical Treatments for Impingement

Shoulder impingement may be mild, moderate, or severe in form. For mild and moderate impingement cases, medical professionals recommend rest and icing the area to help with any swelling. Over the counter anti-inflammatories may be helpful to reduce pain by bringing down the inflammation. If that is not enough, steroid injections are the next step to provide relief. A good rehabilitation program should include exercises from a physical therapist. These exercises, when done properly and regularly, will increase the shoulder range of motion and flexibility.

When a shoulder impingement after a slip and fall is more severe, a patient may need to have arthroscopic surgery. This type of joint surgery is considered minimally invasive when compared to “open surgery” and is performed on an outpatient basis, with most patients returning home the same day. The recovery and rehabilitation process is much the same as for a patient with mild or moderate shoulder impingement, although surgical patients may be prescribed pain medication immediately following a procedure. In an open surgery, a surgeon cuts a larger sized incision, and this usually means that a patient will spend at least an overnight in the hospital.

How an Impingement Injury Can Affect Work

The pain and inflammation from a shoulder impingement may make it difficult for a person who has to lift anything or to reach behind the back very difficult if not dangerous. If surgery is required, the patient will likely need to avoid these activities for a proper recovery, which may mean staying home from work.

If you or a loved one suffered shoulder impingement after a slip and fall in Indiana, call the experienced slip and fall lawyers in Indiana at (260) 777-7777 or message us to learn how we can help protect your rights.