- Work-Related Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Every Florida worker is at risk of work injuries, from medical professionals to restaurant workers, construction employees, etc. They could be specific occupational diseases or result from a particular on-the-job accident. However, regardless of the type, work injuries can be devastating and cause permanent disability or death. Securing workers’ compensation benefits through assistance from work comp lawyers can help to cushion the hard effects of such injuries.
Shoulder injuries are among the most common work-related injuries that Florida workers suffer. There are different shoulder injuries, from dislocation to fractures, impingement, etc. Of those, rotator cuff injuries are among the most common work-related ones. This injury causes severe shoulder pain, limited range of motion, sleeping difficulty, etc.
This article will discuss the meaning, types, and causes of rotator cuff work injuries. We’ll also examine how you can reduce your risk of sustaining this injury in your workplace.
What Is a Work-Related Rotator Cuff Injury?
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keeps your arms in your shoulder sockets. It helps to provide stability to the shoulder joint. It also aids shoulder motion by lifting your shoulders sideways and rotating them externally.
Work-related rotator cuff injury occurs when there’s trauma to the rotator cuff due to on-the-job accidents and long-term work activities. Rotator cuff injuries can either be a tear (rotator cuff tear) or a shoulder inflammation (rotator cuff tendinitis). Tennis shoulder, pitcher’s shoulder, and swimmer’s shoulder also refer to rotator cuff tendinitis. These injuries are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain.
The main difference between rotator cuff tears and inflammation is how suddenly the injury occurs. Generally, rotator cuff tears can result from sudden shoulder injuries or acute trauma. Meanwhile, rotator cuff tendinitis is due to gradual and progressive irritation to an area. Doctors diagnose rotator cuff injuries through X-rays, musculoskeletal (MSK) shoulder ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging.
The employees most at risk of rotator cuff injuries are those working in industries that require swift upward shoulder movements. That includes construction workers, carpenters, and the employees that do the heavy lifting. However, even sedentary workers can develop this injury too.
Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Work Injuries
These are the most common causes of rotator cuff work injuries:
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Repetitive Strain
Repetitive stress or strain refers to the burden of doing little tasks repeatedly. Over time, such repetitive action can cause a strain on your shoulder muscles and tendons. Common repetitive movements include using a mouse, bending, sewing, etc. Also called cumulative trauma disorder, this injury can cause numbness in the affected area.
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Heavy Lifting
Maintaining awkward positions when lifting or pulling a heavy object can cause a strain to your rotator cuff muscle. You can avoid this by observing proper lifting techniques. For example, ensure that you don’t bend forward when lifting an object.
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Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are another common cause of rotator cuff injuries. They happen when the workers land on their shoulders as they fall or stretch their arms impulsively to prevent falling.
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Bad Body Positioning and Alignment
Bad body postures when sitting, walking, running, etc., can cause injuries to the shoulders. Workers can avoid such situations by using ergonomic furniture and developing proper postures.
Types of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears can be classified into the following:
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Partial Tear (Incomplete Tear)
In partial tears, the rotator cuffs’ tendon sustains some damage. However, it doesn’t cause total severance.
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Complete Tear (Full-Thickness Tear)
This is the opposite of partial tears. Here, the tendons separate from the bone completely.
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Acute Tear
These refer to tears that are due to an injury or trauma. They typically occur in slip and fall or heavy lifting accidents. Shoulder dislocations can also cause acute tears.
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Degenerative Tear
This results from gradual wear and tear of the tendons due to overuse, repetitive motions, and inadequate blood supply.
Schedule a Consultation With Experienced Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Now!
Sustaining a work-related injury while attempting to earn a living is no one’s dream. However, no matter how careful you are, you can still suffer rotator cuff injuries from a work-related accident. In such cases, you may have no choice but to approach your attorneys for a work comp claim.
Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys believe that what’s worth doing is worth doing well. So, we guarantee you the best results possible once we take up your case. We’ll ensure that you get the compensation you deserve at no upfront charges through a personalized, speedy, and efficient process. Give us a call immediately.
