We don’t realize it, but our shoulders work almost constantly. They are involved in nearly every activity we perform. And because we use them constantly, every minute of the day, shoulder injuries are extremely troublesome. If we suffer a shoulder injury at work, the situation becomes even more complicated.
Kris Krasowski, one of our physical therapists and a specialist in shoulder injury treatment, will talk today about the most common work-related shoulder injuries and recovery options.
How Common Are Shoulder Injuries at Work?
Work-related shoulder injuries are very common and, in many industries, they are the number one occupational injury. Because of the nature of this joint, these traumas can be painful and cause significant limitations in our functioning. As a result, it may be impossible for a worker to perform their job duties. An employee could need long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Fortunately, workers who suffer a work-related shoulder injury may be entitled to workers’ compensation shoulder injury benefits. It helps to cover medical bills, wage loss benefits, and disability benefits.
What Are the Causes of Shoulder Injuries?
From my experience, the most common shoulder injury at work occurs when workers overexert themselves by lifting, pushing, and shoving heavy objects. Factory, construction, and warehouse employees are especially prone to these injuries. However, office workers and others who do not do much manual labor can still suffer a shoulder injury. This can happen from lifting a heavy box of supplies, moving furniture, or handling equipment.
Another common cause is awkward positions. Roofers, construction workers, and plumbers often work in positions that strain the shoulders and can lead to chronic pain. Repetitive motion shoulder injuries often affect factory workers, painters, cashiers, restaurant workers, and office staff, causing long-term limitations.
The use of certain power tools and heavy machinery, which involve repetitive movements and vibrations, can also cause trauma over time. Finally, slip and fall accidents – due to spills, worn flooring, or icy parking lots – are another common source of occupational shoulder injuries.
What Injuries Cause the Most Problems?
Definitely the ones that look minor at first, but, over time, untreated or incorrectly treated, can lead to a chronic problem that is difficult to treat. Shoulder injuries can range from mild strains and sprains to much more serious ones. Severe cases, such as fractures or broken bones, cause such intense pain that patients immediately seek medical help. Surgical treatment is often implemented right away, followed by rehabilitation.
Minor traumas, however, are frequently ignored, even though this can make the work-related shoulder injury much worse over time. Unfortunately, neglected shoulder injuries can have long-term consequences, sometimes lasting months or even years.
We are currently treating a patient with a serious, chronic shoulder problem that started as a work-related injury two years ago but was ignored. Now, the patient is experiencing significant shoulder pain and limited mobility. Ignoring pain is a common problem – people quickly get used to it and forget that pain is the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. Prolonged shoulder pain lasting more than a week should prompt a consultation with a doctor or physical therapist.
This is especially important for the shoulder joint, which is unique in its complexity. Even a seemingly minor injury can develop into a severe condition, such as frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is insidious: for several months after the injury, the shoulder may function fairly normally, and then suddenly it “freezes,” severely limiting movement. Treating frozen shoulder is challenging and requires months of careful shoulder injury treatment, not just weeks, making early intervention essential for avoiding long-term disability.
When Should You Seek Help for a Work-Related Shoulder Injury?
If there is no fracture or tear, at first it is enough to spare the arm, avoid overloading it, and use pain relief. However, if there is no improvement within a week, you should schedule a consultation with a doctor or a physical therapist.
We offer free 15-minute consultations to assess shoulder pain and injuries. We can determine whether the patient should be seen by a physician or if physical therapy for shoulder pain and rehabilitation is sufficient. We also assist with the formalities needed to make a workers’ compensation claim.