Subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis following COVID-19 vaccination: a case of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)

Abstract

Vaccination injection site adverse reactions are usually mild and transient, and post-vaccination musculoskeletal symptoms, such as myalgia and arthralgia, are very common. Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), defined as shoulder pain and limited range of motion occurring after the administration of a vaccine intended for intramuscular administration in the upper arm, is a well-established condition in the medical literature, yet underreported. In such cases, subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis may occur, leading to shoulder dysfunction and ongoing pain. Millions of doses of vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 have been administered to adults worldwide during the pandemic. We report a case of subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis after COVID-19 vaccination, related to the unintentional injection of vaccine solution into the bursa resulting in a robust immune-mediated inflammatory reaction.

Arthroscopic debridement for acute hemorrhagic subacromial bursitis following COVID-19 vaccine administration: A case report

“…To our knowledge there has been one other report of a SIRVA-related subacromial bursitis after a COVID-19 vaccine administration, which was treated conservatively with observation. 10 Similar to the presently reported case, the authors speculated that the mechanism of the injury was related to improper vaccination technique resulting in direct bursal injection. 10 However, the present report documents a case of SIRVA due to aberrant injection of a COVID-19 vaccination dose as well as the subsequent surgical management.…”

Cutaneous and hypersensitivity reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccination—a narrative review

“…Another differential diagnosis to painful local hypersensitivity reactions is subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis (SIRVA) due to unintentional vaccine injection into the bursa [17].…”

SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: Case discussion and literature review

“…al in April 2021, in which the patient was reported to suffer from subdeltoid bursitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy following the vaccination. [6] The exact incidence of SIRVA is unknown, but is increasingly diagnosed in recent times. Based on the American federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program statistics, it is the number one complication which patients seek compensation from the no-fault Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.…”