Shoulder Injury at Work: Evaluation and Treatment
Spine Doctors Chicago evaluates and treats shoulder injuries from lifting, reaching, pulling and falls at work. Care starts with an examination, then hands-on treatment and exercise, with referral for imaging or an orthopedic opinion when the exam points to a tear. Covered work injury care is billed to the employer directly.
How shoulders get hurt on the job
- Lifting or holding loads overhead
- A sudden pull, such as catching a falling object
- Falling onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm
- Repeated reaching, pushing or throwing over months
What the pain can mean
Work shoulder injuries can involve the rotator cuff tendons, the cartilage rim of the socket, the joint at the top of the shoulder or the biceps tendon. Pain at night, pain when raising the arm, weakness and a shoulder that will not move as far as it used to are common reasons to be examined.
What happens at the visit
The provider asks how the injury happened and what your job requires, then tests range of motion, strength and the positions that reproduce the pain. If the findings suggest a tear, or if the shoulder is not improving, the provider refers you for imaging or an orthopedic evaluation.
Treatment
Care is progressive: calm the pain, restore movement, then rebuild the strength the job needs. That can include hands-on treatment, guided exercise and changes to how you lift and reach while the shoulder heals. You leave each visit with a work status note describing any restrictions.
Billing for a work injury
When treatment is for a work injury, Illinois law directs the provider to bill the employer directly, and for a covered injury the worker is not billed for the difference between the charge and what the employer or its insurer paid. In general, Illinois also lets an injured worker choose their own doctor.
Related: Workers' Compensation Chiropractic
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MRI first?+
Not usually. The examination comes first, and imaging is ordered when the findings call for it.
Can I keep working?+
The provider writes a work status note at each visit describing what you can and cannot do.
My shoulder pain built up slowly. Can I still be seen?+
Yes. Providers evaluate problems from repeated motion as well as injuries from a single incident, and document what you report about your job duties.
Shoulder hurt at work? Call Spine Doctors Chicago to schedule an evaluation.
(773) 690-0677This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice for your situation. Workers' compensation details are general information, not legal advice.