Age: 65.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU3
Symptoms: Activities of daily living impaired, Impaired driving ability, Injected limb mobility decreased, Injection site pain, Joint injection
Clinical narrative: October 8, 2015: (4:00 PM) I received the influenza vaccination at a community health (flu immunization) clinic held at High School. This one day clinic was sponsored by the County Health Department. The woman who administered my injection recommended that I get the higher dose since I was 65 years old, so I agreed to that. She said that my arm may be a little sorer than it would be with the regular injection. I have received influenza injections for many years and have never had an adverse reaction other than some tenderness at the injection site. I had never experienced any injuries to or problems with my left arm prior to this injection. October 8, 2015: (@8:00 PM) A few hours after the injection my upper arm (at the injection site) was extremely sore and raising my arm was difficult and painful. This continued for the next few days and I had to have assistance getting dressed as I could not raise my arm. I was not able to drive my car because of the arm pain and lack of mobility. After about four days these symptoms improved but certain movements of my arm continued to be painful. This pain was most noticeable at night when I would try to sleep on the affected side. November 6, 2015 Approximately a month after receiving the injection I was still experiencing arm pain so I contacted the office of my primary care physician and explained my symptoms to her nurse. The nurse advised me to take ibuprofen (which I had already been taking) and try to use my arm more to see if that would help. I followed that advice without any noticeable improvement. November 17, 2015 I had an appointment with Dr. regarding my arm/shoulder pain. I related my experience to her and she examined my arm but was uncertain as to what might be causing my pain or how to treat it. She recommended trying physical therapy and if that did not help she suggested I may want to see an orthopedic doctor and have x-rays or an MRI of my arm. November 24, 2015 I began physical therapy sessions with DPT. These sessions, along with prescribed home exercises, seemed to improve my symptoms, especially reducing the pain I experienced during the night. In mid-December of 2015 we traveled to spend the winter so I discontinued the therapy but continued the home exercises. January 8, 2016 I once again began to suffer with increased pain in my arm and shoulder, especially at night. I met with an orthopedic doctor. I had originally made the appointment to discuss problems with my arthritic knee but he also examined my left arm/shoulder. Dr. thought it was possibly an issue with my rotator cuff and believed the timing of the flu shot may be just coincidental. He gave me a cortisone injection in my shoulder and recommended returning for some type of imaging of the shoulder if the shot did not provide adequate pain relief. The shot did relieve some of the arm/shoulder pain for about a month, but then the pain gradually returned and continued to worsen. Not only was I in pain but I also started to lose mobility in my left arm and my range of motion was rapidly decreasing. I decided to return home and consult with my orthopedic physician there. March 22, 2016 I had an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. He examined me and took x-rays of my left arm and shoulder. Given the fact that my symptoms started immediately after I received the flu shot and added to the fact that I had never experienced any injuries or other issues with my left arm or shoulder, he said it was very likely that the administration of the flu vaccine could have caused my arm/shoulder issues. He thought the vaccine may have been injected too high on my arm. Upon further examination he diagnosed me with adhesive capsulitis, "frozen shoulder", which he also believed could have resulted from the vaccine administration, causing the pain and subsequent mobility issues. Due to my shoulder pain and immobility he did not feel I could keep my arm in the necessary position to undergo an MRI evaluation at that time. He gave me a KENALOG injection in my left shoulder joint hoping it would provide enough pain relief to allow me to benefit from physical therapy and perhaps get my shoulder moving again. If I was able to gain mobility he would consider ordering an MRI to see if it would provide any further information. Unfortunately the injection was not successful in decreasing the shoulder pain or increasing my range of motion. March 28, 2016 I began physical therapy sessions with DPT. His evaluation and testing confirmed the diagnosis of "frozen shoulder". He explained that it could be a very long recovery process to regain shoulder movement and improve my range of motion. The physical therapy exercises are quite painful but I am hopeful that my condition will improve with continued therapy and home exercises. I have read information concerning frozen shoulder that stated it could take a year or even two years to rehabilitate and restore function to the shoulder. Dr. informed me that sometimes surgery becomes necessary because scar tissue forms in the shoulder joint. I certainly hope it does not come to that in my case. Prior to this influenza vaccine injection I was a very healthy, active, 65 year old woman. I am a retired elementary teacher but still continue to substitute teach and stay involved with many activities. My only health concern has been an arthritic knee, but cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medication have provide relief for that condition. The pain and lack of mobility in my left arm and shoulder are affecting my quality of life. It is hard for me to complete normal household tasks such general cleaning, mopping the floor, vacuuming, carrying the laundry basket, etc. Even getting dressed and combing my hair can be a challenge. Due to the pain and stiffness of my "frozen shoulder" I am not able to participate in my favorite hobbies of golfing and fishing. Lifting heavy items or even picking up my grandchildren is very difficult. Actually any activity requiring the use of both arms is problematic for me. The pain in my shoulder often wakes me at night and I have to sleep with my arm propped on a pillow in order to get relief. I honestly believe that this injury to my arm/shoulder was caused by the improper administration of the influenza vaccine. It is my hope that by bringing attention to this situation it may help prevent this type of injury from happening to others.