SIRVA Vaccine Injury

SIRVA injuries result when a vaccine is administered in the incorrect part of the deltoid muscle. When the vaccine is given too high, the needle can puncture and inject vaccine fluid into the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that protect the tendons in the shoulder. If the vaccine is given too low or too far to the side, the needle can puncture the radial or axillary nerve.

When a vaccine is administered incorrectly, the active components of the vaccine can cause an inflammatory response to occur that results in injury to the area injected. SIRVA is not an individual diagnosis, but a collective name for the many types of shoulder injuries that can occur from receiving a vaccine. Some of the more common SIRVA injuries include bursitis, tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tear.

Shoulder Pain

The most common and earliest symptom of a SIRVA injury is severe shoulder pain that begins within 48 hours of receiving a vaccine. SIRVA injuries affect the part of the shoulder that allows you to move your arm comfortably.

Therefore, your pain is likely to be more intense when you use your shoulder, such as when you reach overhead or across your body. A SIRVA injury can also interfere with your sleep.

Stiffness or Decreased Range of Motion

You may have difficulty moving your arm while trying to perform basic tasks, like bathing, getting dressed, or folding laundry. Performing these tasks may be painful or impossible without assistance.

Weakness or Loss of Strength

You may not be able to lift items that you once could or put any weight on your arm.
Swelling or Redness at Injection Site – You may experience swelling at the injection site and/or it may be painful to the touch.

Arm Pain

Some people may experience radiating arm pain, especially if the vaccine was administered too low or too far to the side.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following a vaccination, you should contact your doctor immediately to discuss your treatment options. If left untreated, many of these conditions become progressively worse.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, arm pain, reduced range of motion, weakness, or any other symptoms following a vaccination, you should call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to advise them of these symptoms.

You should make sure to inform your healthcare provider that the symptoms started after a vaccine was administered.

Your treating provider should perform a physical examination on the affected area. Additional tests may be ordered including an x-ray and/or specialized diagnostic testing such as MRI/ultrasound. The provider may recommend physical therapy or refer you to specialized physician.

When you see your doctor for SIRVA symptoms, you will likely not be diagnosed as having “SIRVA.” SIRVA is a term used to explain how these injuries are caused and not the injuries themselves. People who have a vaccine-related shoulder injury are most often diagnosed with the following medical conditions:

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis):

This condition causes pain and stiffness in your shoulder joint that starts out gradually and progressively worsens. Frozen shoulder typically resolves within 1-3 years. Treatment typically includes physical therapy and steroid injections. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Shoulder Bursitis:

This condition causes pain and inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sacs that lubricate the shoulder joint and allow the arm to move with ease. Shoulder bursitis is a temporary condition, but it may last for many months.

Treatment typically includes steroid injections, pain medication, and immobilization with a splint. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Shoulder Tendinitis:

This condition causes pain and inflammation in the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. Signs of tendinitis are pain and tenderness in your shoulder and the inability to hold your arm in certain positions. Treatment typically includes anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, physical therapy, and ultrasound therapy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Rotator Cuff Injury:

If a misplaced vaccine causes inflammation in the shoulder joint, a rotator cuff tear can occur. This condition is often accompanied by bursitis and tendonitis. Treatment typically includes physical therapy, steroid injections, and often surgery is necessary to relieve the pain and symptoms from this type of injury.

Impingement Syndrome (Swimmer’s Shoulder)

This condition occurs when an inflamed tendon in your shoulder rubs against your shoulder blade, causing pain. It can occur when a vaccine is injected too high in your shoulder. Symptoms are similar to the above listed conditions, with muscle weakness, shoulder pain, and limited range of motion. Treatment typically includes steroid injections and physical therapy. In rare cases, surgery may be required to relieve the pain and symptoms from this type of injury.

While we cannot give medical advice, we can provide you with information on some of the common treatment modalities that are used to treat the spectrum of SIRVA injuries.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may help you regain strength and range of motion in your arm and shoulder as your injury heals.

Home Exercise Program (HEP)

A home exercise program (HEP) should only be used when you have been given this instruction by your doctor. Most of the time, individuals in physical therapy are provided with exercises to continue while at home.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are commonly used to treat SIRVA injuries as they can help to reduce inflammation in the affected part of the arm. Steroid injections can be effective pain-relief treatments, but relief is often temporary, and several injections may be required.

Pain Medication

Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relief medications or in some cases, prescription pain medication may be necessary to manage symptoms.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)

PRP injections are a relatively new treatment that utilizes your body’s own blood cells to accelerate the natural internal healing process. PRP injections have been shown to be especially effective at treating tendonitis.

Surgery

While many patients obtain optimal relief with non-invasive treatments, in some cases, surgery is necessary for treatment of SIRVA injuries. Surgeries are typically performed in cases of rotator cuff tears, impingement syndrome, and frozen shoulder syndrome.

All of the conditions described above are commonly diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians, orthopedic specialists and/or neurologists. However, there are many doctors who have never had exposure to SIRVA injuries and therefore do not commonly consider vaccinations as potential causes when evaluating these symptoms and conditions. It is important to inform your doctor about your recent vaccination and the onset of your symptoms following the vaccination.

Even if your doctor doesn’t believe that your vaccine caused your shoulder injury, your diagnosis and treatment will be the same. As discussed in the next section, you can still have a successful claim in court even if your doctor does not document that you suffered a SIRVA injury.

If you feel that your doctor’s reluctance to recognize your SIRVA injury is interfering with your treatment, you have the option to get a second opinion from another doctor. Depending on where you live, we may be able to connect you with a doctor in your area who has experience treating SIRVA injuries.