Shoulder Tendonitis After a Flu Shot

Can the flu shot cause tendonitis?

A proper vaccine injection technique is critical for intramuscular vaccines such as the flu shot. Specifically, the Center for Disease Control advises that the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to the skin, as close to the deltoid muscle as possible. While this may seem fool-proof, mistakes are common and can lead to tendonitis and other musculoskeletal injuries in the shoulder and arm. Improper vaccine administration can allow for the needle to cause damage to the nerves, muscles and other subcutaneous soft tissue. Moreover, many inactivated vaccines (including the influenza vaccination) contain an adjuvant. Adjuvants are vaccine components that enhance the immune response to an antigen.

These components can cause a local reaction to an improperly placed needle at the injection site, causing pain, redness and swelling. Tendonitis, specifically, is an inflammatory reaction at the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. Tendons are thick cords of tissue that attach muscle to bone. Tendonitis normally occurs as the result of a tendon being pinched by inflamed surrounding structures. In severe instances, nerve damage or impingement syndrome can also be diagnosed. There are a number of other flu shot side effects.

Symptoms of shoulder tendonitis from the flu shot

The most common symptoms associated with vaccine-induced tendonitis include: (1) an inability to hold your arm in certain positions; (2) pain, stiffness or tenderness at the shoulder; and (3) loss of strength or motion in the affected arm. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the inflammation. Other complications include interrupted sleep due to pain, limited mobility, severe pain as well as difficulty getting dressed and/or reaching for items overhead.

Recently, My Vaccine Lawyer's founding partner Paul Brazil was interviewed by Jodie Fleischer of NBC4 Washington about SIRVA injuries such shoulder tendonitis, deltoid bursitis, subacromial bursitis and adhesive capsulitis, along with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a federal compensation program for vaccine-related injuries and allergic reactions in the United States. Paul and Jodie also discuss the frequency of vaccine injuries and the lack of public knowledge about the Vaccine Injury Table. If you have flu shot arm pain it may well be worth contacting our specialized injury victim lawyers.

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Treatment for shoulder tendonitis from a vaccine

If your whole arm hurts after flu shot then it is wise to seek medical attention. In mild cases, a medical professional will perform a physical examination and often prescribe a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the injured person is still suffering from a limited range of motion, a course of physical therapy will be recommended. Physical therapy will usually be prescribed two to three (2-3) times per week for a course of around three (3) months. If physical therapy is not beneficial, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend corticosteroid injections. These steroid injections, also known as Cortisone injection, have the ability to relieve inflammation in some instances. In severe cases, other treatment options include surgery. The damage to the shoulder capsule or subacromial bursa could be substantial enough to require removal of the bursa or repair of ruptured tendons. Arm pain after flu shots are no laughing matter. Make sure to seek medical attention if you are suffering!

How to file a vaccine shoulder injury lawsuit

If you believe you have suffered from a serious adverse reaction or injury resulting from an influenza vaccine, contact our office today. If you have not already, you should report your injury to your doctor and receive proper treatment as soon as possible. To be eligible to file a claim, the effects of the injury must have: (1) lasted for more than 6 months after the vaccine was given; (2) resulted in a hospital stay or surgery; or (3) resulted in death.

Once the vaccine administration record and relevant medical records are received by our office, an experienced vaccine attorney will perform a comprehensive analysis of the case. Vaccine injury claims begin with a petition filed against the Department of Health and Human Services. These claims are handled in the Court of Federal Claims and are ultimately decided by the Special Master assigned to preside over the case. These are no fault claims and are not handled like a traditional civil lawsuit against vaccine manufacturers, a pharmacy or your doctor's office.

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