If you’ve experienced a shoulder injury while working for your Georgia employer, then you may need medical procedures like shoulder injections to make a full recovery and return to work. To get the results you want and safely get back to your normal activities, it’s important to have an understanding of what common shoulder injections are used, the benefits and risks of a shoulder injection procedure, and how these treatments can fit into your overall injury recovery.
Your shoulder injury will be specific to your work history and unique circumstances. While getting important treatments related to your workplace injury covered by your Georgia employer can be very challenging, it starts with building a strong case around your injury to make sure you can get the benefits that you need and deserve. In most cases, establishing a clear connection between your shoulder injury and history with your employer is essential, but this can be very challenging.
We know that your Georgia employer and their insurance company can make it difficult to get important treatments covered for your injury, and this can be very discouraging. However, with the help of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Gearhart Law, you can build the strongest case possible for your shoulder injury and get the benefits that you deserve.
Shoulder Injections
While there are many types of injections to consider for your shoulder injury to ensure the best treatment, in this article we will explain three of the most common: steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections, and hyaluronic acid injections.
Steroid Injections
The most common type of shoulder injection is a steroid injection. Steroids are a popular injection treatment for shoulder injuries because they can help reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling around the shoulder. Most steroid injections are delivered directly into the affected area of your shoulder to relieve pain and improve movement. One of the biggest benefits of steroid injections is that they can be used to temporarily relieve symptoms that are preventing you from participating in physical therapy, which can help speed up your recovery.
Cortisone is one of the most commonly used steroids for an injection because it has very strong anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties that are fast-acting and low in side effects, but there are many other commonly used steroids for hip injections, including methylprednisolone and triamcinolone. It’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the best steroid for your specific injury, health history, and any sensitivities you may have to steroid medications.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
Another common type of shoulder injection is a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. This type of injection is used for many different injuries because it has the potential to enhance the body’s natural healing process by delivering a dose of platelets directly to the injured area of your shoulder. Platelets are a naturally produced part of your blood involved in tissue repair and regeneration, so delivering them directly to an injured area can improve your healing outcomes.
A PRP injection procedure involves drawing some of your own blood, separating out the platelets in a lab, and then injecting the separated platelets into your shoulder. This procedure is usually done with ultrasound guidance to make sure the injection goes exactly where it’s needed most. While research on platelet-rich plasma injections is still developing, many people report success with treating their shoulder injuries that is increasing the popularity of this procedure.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Another common injection for a variety of shoulder injuries is the hyaluronic acid injection. Hyaluronic acid is a natural lubricant that is produced by healthy joints to reduce friction during motion. When injected directly into the shoulder joint, hyaluronic acid can help rebuild cartilage and reduce pain with activity. This type of injection is often used for people with degenerative shoulder conditions such as osteoarthritis or breakdown of the labrum that lines the shoulder joint.
Hyaluronic acid injections are usually performed with ultrasound guidance and can provide long-term relief from pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. In most cases, the procedure is delivered as a series of three injections that are given roughly one week apart to increase effectiveness. The results of a hyaluronic acid injection series will vary between individuals, but many people report significant improvements in their mobility following this procedure.
Are Shoulder Injections Safe?
Generally speaking, these three different shoulder injections are safe when administered under the guidance of a trained professional. However, it’s important to keep in mind that all medications and injection treatments involve some level of risk, making it very important to discuss all potential side effects with your doctor before deciding if an injection is right for you. Additionally, you should always be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions before and after the procedure to help ensure that you get the best results from your injection.
Common side effects after a shoulder injection may include temporary pain, bruising, or soreness at the injection site. Other potential side effects will vary depending on the type of medication used for the specific injection. For example, steroid injections are known to inhibit natural tissue healing with repeated use. Generally speaking, platelet-rich plasma injections are safe and carry a low risk of an allergic reaction since the platelets being used are from your own blood. Hyaluronic acid injections, although considered very safe compared to other shoulder injections, may cause temporary joint stiffness or mild discomfort after the procedure. As with all medical procedures, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your health history and any concerns you may have before proceeding with a shoulder injection.
Will I Need Other Treatments?
In some cases, a shoulder injection may be the only treatment needed to improve your pain and promote recovery from your shoulder injury. However, depending on the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, you may need additional treatments or therapies to make a full recovery. For example, if a condition like arthritis or a movement disorder is causing your shoulder injury, physical therapy may be an important part of your care plan to help improve your overall shoulder recovery.
Physical therapy for your shoulder injury will include a combination of exercises and activity training to strengthen your shoulder muscles and improve range of motion, ultimately improving joint circulation and reducing irritation with movement. Your physical therapist will work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your specific needs and helps you return to work faster. The main goal of physical therapy is to help you improve the function of your shoulder joint while also teaching you how to prevent future injuries at work.
Your doctor may also recommend medications such as anti-inflammatories or painkillers in addition to an injection for a more comfortable recovery. In some cases, making lifestyle changes may also be an important part of your recovery. These changes could include modifying work duties or participation in your hobbies to reduce stress on your shoulder during and after your recovery. Finally, if your shoulder injection doesn’t give you the relief you need, shoulder surgery might be considered as an option for long-term results. It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options and your performance goals with your doctor before deciding which treatment is right for you.
To get important treatments for your shoulder covered, you’ll need expert legal representation from a law group that specializes in injury law and workers’ compensation claims.
Contact an Atlanta Injury Attorney
Get in touch with Gearhart Law right away if you need legal assistance after being hurt at work in Georgia. To ensure that you get all of the Georgia workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to, we specialize in handling the challenges that workers’ compensation claims provide. We also know how to counter any defenses put forth by your employer or their insurance. Contact us right away so we can assess your particular situation, advise you of your next course of action, and make sure you are getting the best medical care possible for your injuries.
