Understanding the Treatment Options for the Most Common Work-Related Injuries
Do you need work-related injury care in Brooklyn, NY? Call us today to schedule an appointment!
As a working professional, you spend hours engaging in activities that are tasking to your musculoskeletal structure. Whether you spend most of your work hours at a desk or transporting bulky goods, there’s always a risk of injury.
Metro Healthcare Partners, the trusted choice for people looking for a workers’ comp doctor in Brooklyn, NY, discusses the most common work-related injuries and the treatment options.
Sprains and Strains
According to US Claims, sprains and strains are the most common types of work-related injuries. They can occur for various reasons, but some of the most common causes include overexertion, improper bending, and lifting heavy objects.
Slips, trips, and falls can also cause sprains and strains. According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), slips and falls caused 18% of the nonfatal work injuries that led to days away from work in 2020.
These injuries affect your ligaments, tendons, and muscles, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
The treatment options for strains and sprains include the following:
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) Therapy
As the name implies, this approach will reduce pain and inflammation by resting the injured area, applying packs of ice to it, tying it off with compression bandages, and elevating it.
It’s the most recommended treatment option for minor strains and sprains, and you can complete your recovery at home.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can recommend rehabilitation exercises and stretches to restore flexibility, strength, and range of motion.
Immobilization
For severe sprains and strains, your doctor may recommend using slings, splints, and braces to immobilize the injured area and prevent further damage.
Pain Medication
You may need over-the-counter or prescription medications while healing, depending on the severity of the pain you’re experiencing. Your doctor will recommend the medications and tweak your dosages as you progress with your recovery.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
These types of injuries are common in people who do many repetitive tasks during most of their work hours. For example, typing on a computer for hours or working an assembly line can cause repetitive motion injuries. You may also suffer these injuries if your work involves using vibrating tools.
The treatment options for repetitive motion injuries include the following:
Rest
Minor cases of RMIs can be resolved with some periods of rest. Where extended rest is not practical, you have to modify your work approach or routines to avoid exacerbating the injury. If you don’t stress the area further, it will generally heal.
You may also need to wear splints or braces to ensure support to the affected area and to alleviate the pain and discomfort you might feel while going about your daily activities.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may be required for cases of moderate to severe RMI. The therapists will recommend exercises and stretches that target the affected area to reduce inflammation, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles in the surrounding area.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are firmly among the most common work-related injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and as reported by the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability, and Risk at the University of Maryland, back injuries account for one out of every five reported injuries in workplaces.
The term back injury encapsulates all kinds of injuries affecting the back area, ranging from muscle strains to herniated discs. They generally cause significant disability and pain.
The treatment options for back injuries include:
Pain Medication
Pain medications can help alleviate pain and inflammation in some minor to moderate cases of back injury.
Chiropractic Care
Moderate to severe cases of back injury will not go away if you don’t address the underlying cause of the pain. Chiropractic care is effective in this regard, using manipulative therapies to correct misalignments responsible for the pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists can recommend targeted stretches and exercises to alleviate the pain by strengthening the muscles, improving posture, and ensuring better support for your spine.
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures and dislocations in the work place often happen when people slip and fall multiple levels or when their body sustains heavy impact from motor vehicles or from falling objects.
The treatment options for fractures and dislocations include:
Emergency Care
These injuries require immediate medical attention because, beyond the musculoskeletal pain, the victim may have deep lacerations, concussions, and other severe injuries.
Pain Medication
Fractures and dislocations often cause debilitating pain, especially in the earliest stages. Therefore, doctors typically recommend pain medication during this phase.
Immobilization
Doctors may use casts, splints, and braces to immobilize the injured area, encouraging faster healing and restoration of function.
Surgery
The doctor may also recommend surgery for complex fractures and dislocations, especially those affecting joints like the knees or ankles.
Physical Therapy
After completing the initial healing phase, the doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you regain mobility, strength, and function in the affected area.
Get Professional Help for the Most Common Work-Related Injuries
Do you need to learn more about work-related injuries and their treatments? Do you need to see a work-related injury doctor in Brooklyn, NY, today? Call the team at Metro Healthcare Partners at (718) 769-2521 to book an appointment.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
FAQs
How Can I Avoid the Common Types of Workplace Injuries?
You can avoid common workplace injuries, like repetitive motion injuries, strains and sprains, and slipping and falling injuries, by exercising regularly, using proper lifting techniques, avoiding prolonged sitting and standing, and adhering to proper safety protocols.
How Long Will Recovery Take for Most Workplace Injuries?
The recovery timeline for most common workplace injuries varies. However, according to the Environmental Health Insights journal, 73.5% of injured workers will return to work within 45 days.
Which Doctor Should I See First?
Generally, you should see a general practice workers’ comp doctor following a workplace injury. After the initial evaluation and emergency care, you may see specialists if necessary.