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Learn More >>Upper Extremity Injury
Upper extremity injuries, including shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears, don't receive as much attention, but these can be the most debilitating of all injuries.
Upper extremity injuries may occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents and falls. But most often, these occur in the workplace, as a result of repetitive stress over a period of years. Workers engaged in certain kinds of activities may be more at risk for such injuries.
Types of Upper Extremity Injuries
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Rotator Cuff Tears: The rotator cuff helps a person lift his arm and rotate it, and is made up of four muscles and tendons. Typically, a tear occurs in the supraspinatus muscle, but other muscles can also be affected. A rotator cuff tear is caused by trauma, and may be accompanied by other injuries to the shoulder, like dislocations or fractures. Most frequently, rotator cuff tears are seen in persons who have overused these muscles and tendons. Persons who work in occupations that require them to make frequent overhead motions, are more likely to suffer these injuries.
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Fractures
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Bursitis, where there is inflammation of the bursa sacs
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Nerve injuries
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Tendinitis
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Joint injuries
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Amputation
Symptoms of Upper Extremity Injuries
Persons who suffer a shoulder injury or a rotator cuff tear, may feel chronic pain in the shoulder, and also experience a decrease in the range of motion. This may occur over a period of time, or may appear suddenly.
There may be severe or persistent pain in the shoulder.
There may be weakness or numbness in the shoulder muscles.
There may be swelling or tingling in the shoulder.
The skin may be discolored. This discoloration typically takes place after a serious traumatic injury.
Who is at Risk for Upper Extremity Injuries?
Persons in the following occupations may be a high risk for upper extremity injuries.
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Athletes, especially those involved in rowing or weightlifting
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Painters
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Long-haul truckers
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Persons engaged in any kind of activity, where there is excessive overhead motion.
The Houston personal injury lawyers at Schechter McElwee Shaffer and Harris have decades of experience representing workers, who have suffered shoulder injuries, rotator cuff tears and other upper extremity injuries. If you have a question about your shoulder injury, contact a Houston personal injury attorney at our law firm for a free initial evaluation of your case.
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