SHOULDER INJURY

 
There are general types of shoulder injuries – fractures and “soft tissue” injury, such as rips and tears of muscle or ligament.  The shoulder has the largest range of motion of any joint in the human body and is actively involved in many physical tasks.

A shoulder injury can be life altering and prevent a person who does physical labor for his or her livelihood from earning a living.  Accidents on construction sites, motor vehicle accidents, trips/slips and falls and any accident that results in an impact to the shoulder can result in a serious shoulder injury for a construction worker or other laborer.

Shoulder injuries involve only minor bruises and contusions; others are more serious and may require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and surgery. Some typical accident-related shoulder injuries include:

1. Rotator cuff tear – may require rotator cuff repair surgery. The rotator cuff is shorthand for a group of muscles that work together to provide the shoulder joint with stability, helping to control the joint during rotation, such as when a baseball player throws a ball – thus with baseball players we often hear of rotator cuff injuries, and surgery.


2. Torn ligament or muscle. (Click the links to see a professional medical drawing depicting a car accident client’s right shoulder injury with tendon and muscle tears and see drawings showing the surgical repairs of these injuries with the first right shoulder surgery and the second right shoulder surgery.


3. Dislocated or separated shoulder. Shoulder dislocation is a common sports injury. While some insurance companies this to be a minor injury, most shoulder dislocation accidents cause damage to the shoulder cartilage or to the surrounding ligaments, nerves or blood vessels.


4. Fracture, may be to the collar bone (clavicle) – the bone that runs along the front of the shoulder to the chest.  (Click the link to see a medical drawing showing arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair an improperly healed shoulder fracture.)


5. Impingement. In itself is not a diagnosis, but a clinical sign. There are at least nine different diagnoses which can cause impingement syndrome.


6. AC joint injury.  The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the outer end of the clavicle (collar bone) and the acromion of the scapula (shoulder blade). The acromion is a bone which sticks out from the upper part of the scapula. This joint forms the highest part of the shoulder.  The two bones are attached by the acromioclavicular ligament.


7. Frozen shoulder.  Adhesive Capsulitis is the medical term.  The medical term literally describes what is seen in this condition – adhesive meaning “sticky,” and capsulitis meaning “inflammation of the joint capsule.” It is thought that a lot of the symptoms are due to the capsule becoming inflamed and 'sticking', making the joint stiff and difficult to move. This is not the same as arthritis, and no other joints are usually affected.

Shoulder injury may also involve other complications, including nerve damage and chronic pain.

New York personal injury lawyers and New York car accident lawyers often represent clients who have suffered painful shoulder injuries, like rotator cuff tears, in Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx  car accidents, New York slip/trip and fall accidents, and work-related accidents. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and cause disability from employment and inability to participate in recreational activities. You need an experienced shoulder injury attorney to address the legal and medical issues of your case.

For your serious personal injury, you need legal representation from a qualified personal injury attorney.  Contact us for your free consultation.

Law Offices of Gary E. Rosenberg, P.C.

(718) 520-8787