An analysis of reported cases shoulder injury related to vaccine administration of after COVID-19 vaccination

ABSTRACT

To prevent COVID-19, the COVID-19 vaccine has been widely administered worldwide, but various complications accompany this vaccine. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic patterns, clinical features, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes associated with shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). This study examined 22 patients with SIRVA following COVID-19 vaccination from the Web of Science (WOS) and PubMed databases. The patients were categorized based on sex, age, type of COVID-19 vaccine received, dose administered, latency of symptom onset, and the presence of specific clinical manifestations. Patients, evenly distributed by sex (12 females, 10 males), and aged 21 to 84 years (mean age 46.6), were analyzed. SIRVA cases were reported across all age groups. The Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had the highest incidence (n = 8), followed by the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (n = 4). Symptoms, primarily shoulder pain (n = 22) and shoulder mobility disorders (n = 18), occurred within three days post-vaccination. Some patients also reported shoulder swelling (n = 5) and fever (n = 2). Imaging revealed nonspecific X-ray findings, supraspinatus tendon calcification (n = 2), and shoulder edema and inflammation on MRI (n = 12). This study provides insights into the clinical aspects of SIRVA related to COVID-19 vaccination. Recognition and appropriate management of these complications are crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Injury mechanism of SIRVA. The three main causes of SIRVA.

KEYWORDS:

• SIRVA
• COVID-19 vaccine
• shoulder injury
• clinical characteristics
• treatment outcomes

Acknowledgments

The authors thank everyone who has contributed to this study, especially Dan Li who provided a schematic diagram for this article.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website at https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2024.2321672

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

LZX was the authors of the paper’s main body producers. CSJ and ZMY were the leading designer of this study and provided us with research ideas and directions.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusion of this article will be made available by the authors without undue reservation.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by 1) the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos. 81772866、82172594]. 2)The Wisdom Accumulation and Talent Cultivation Project of the Third Xiangyang Hospital of Central South University [YX202001, YX202212].