Injuries We Treat

BACK INJURIES

Back injuries caused by work can vary depending on the nature of the job and the physical demands placed on the worker. Some of the typical back injuries resulting from work-related activities include:

Strains and Sprains: These are among the most common types of back injuries in the workplace and can occur due to overexertion, lifting heavy objects, or sudden movements.

Herniated Discs: Jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive bending, or twisting motions can lead to herniated discs in the spine, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs.

Muscle Spasms: Overexertion, poor posture, and repetitive motions can cause muscles in the back to tighten and spasm, resulting in pain and limited mobility.

Vertebral Fractures: Severe trauma or accidents in the workplace, such as falls from heights or being struck by falling objects, can cause fractures in the vertebrae of the spine.

Sciatica: Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, often caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis, can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness that radiates from the lower back down the leg.

Spinal Stenosis: Jobs that involve prolonged periods of standing, bending, or heavy lifting can contribute to the narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in compression of the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and discomfort.

Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when one vertebra slips forward over another, often due to repetitive stress or trauma, causing back pain and reduced mobility.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Over time, the discs in the spine can degenerate due to wear and tear, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased flexibility, especially in jobs that involve repetitive motions or prolonged sitting.

Compression Fractures: Jobs that involve repetitive lifting or bending, especially in older adults with weakened bones, can increase the risk of compression fractures in the vertebrae.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Jobs that require repetitive motions or maintaining a fixed posture can lead to RSIs in the back and spine, causing inflammation, pain, and reduced range of motion.

What are treatment options for back pain?

• Physical therapy
• Injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Precision medicine
• Massage Therapy

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome& Epicondylitis

Carpal tunnel syndrome and epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, can both be attributed to repetitive stress and strain caused by certain work activities.

Treatment for CTS Include:

• Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms and giving the wrist adequate rest can help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with CTS.
• Splinting: Wearing a wrist splint, especially at night, can help keep the wrist in a neutral position and alleviate pressure on the median nerve.
• Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroid injections may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the wrist.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy exercises focusing on stretching and strengthening the muscles and tendons in the wrist and hand can help alleviate symptoms and improve flexibility and range of motion.
• Ergonomic Modifications: Making ergonomic adjustments to workstations, such as using wrist rests, ergonomic keyboards, and proper seating arrangements, can help reduce strain on the wrists and prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Injections of corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, especially in cases of moderate to severe CTS.
• Surgery (Carpal Tunnel Release): In severe or persistent cases of CTS that do not respond to conservative treatments, carpal tunnel release surgery may be recommended. During this procedure, the ligament pressing on the median nerve is surgically divided to relieve pressure and alleviate symptoms.

Treatment for Epicondylitis include:

• Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms and giving the affected elbow adequate rest can help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with epicondylitis.
• Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or topical creams may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected elbow.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy exercises focusing on stretching and strengthening the muscles and tendons of the forearm can help alleviate symptoms and improve flexibility and strength.
• Eccentric Exercises: Eccentric strengthening exercises, which involve lengthening the muscle while it contracts, have shown effectiveness in treating epicondylitis.
• Bracing: Wearing a brace or forearm strap may help alleviate strain on the affected tendons and reduce pain during activities that aggravate symptoms.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Injections of corticosteroids into the affected area may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, especially in cases of moderate to severe epicondylitis.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy involves injecting a concentrated form of the patient's own blood into the affected area to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT involves using shockwaves to stimulate healing in the affected tendons and reduce pain associated with epicondylitis.
• Surgery (Tennis Elbow Release or Golfer's Elbow Release): In severe or persistent cases of epicondylitis that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgery may be recommended to remove damaged tissue and alleviate symptoms.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries sustained at work can occur due to a variety of job-related activities and physical demands. Some common shoulder injuries include:

Rotator Cuff Tears: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and facilitating movement. Rotator cuff tears can occur due to repetitive overhead movements, lifting heavy objects, or sudden forceful actions. Jobs that involve repetitive reaching, lifting, or carrying, such as construction work, painting, or overhead assembly tasks, can increase the risk of rotator cuff injuries.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: This condition occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become pinched or compressed as they pass through the narrow space between the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) and the ball of the upper arm bone (humerus). Shoulder impingement syndrome is often associated with repetitive overhead activities or sustained overhead work, such as painting, carpentry, or stocking shelves.

Shoulder Dislocation/Subluxation: A shoulder dislocation happens when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. This can occur due to traumatic incidents in the workplace, such as falls, collisions, or lifting heavy objects incorrectly.

Labral Tears: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket, providing stability to the joint. Labral tears can result from repetitive overhead motions, sudden forceful actions, or trauma to the shoulder joint. Jobs that involve repetitive throwing motions, heavy lifting, or overhead work, such as construction or landscaping, can increase the risk of labral tears.

Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles in the shoulder joint. Repetitive overhead activities or prolonged pressure on the shoulder, such as working with arms raised or using vibrating tools, can lead to bursitis in the shoulder.

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Frozen shoulder is characterized by stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. While the exact cause is not always clear, it can be exacerbated by repetitive shoulder movements or prolonged immobilization, such as prolonged desk work or working with arms overhead for extended periods.

What are treatment options for shoulder injuries?

• Pain Management Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Injections
• Regenerative Medication
• Surgery

Lower Extremity Injuries

Lower extremity injuries sustained at work can occur in various ways due to job-related activities and physical demands. Some common lower extremity injuries include:

Sprains and Strains: Sprains involve the stretching or tearing of ligaments, while strains involve the stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Lower extremity sprains and strains can occur due to slips, trips, falls, overexertion, or sudden movements during work activities that involve walking, lifting, or climbing.

Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint are stretched or torn, typically due to twisting, rolling, or turning the ankle while walking, running, or navigating uneven surfaces in the workplace.

Fractures: Fractures of the lower extremities, including the bones of the foot, ankle, shin (tibia), and thigh (femur), can result from falls, collisions, crush injuries, or heavy object impacts in the workplace.

Knee Injuries: Knee injuries such as ligament tears (e.g., ACL, PCL), meniscus tears, or patellar tendonitis can occur due to repetitive kneeling, squatting, lifting, or sudden twisting motions in jobs that require prolonged standing, walking, or heavy physical activity.

Shin Splints: Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, involve pain and inflammation along the shinbone (tibia) and are often caused by overuse, repetitive impact activities, or sudden increases in physical activity levels, such as running, jumping, or walking on hard surfaces in the workplace.

Achilles Tendon Injuries: Injuries to the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, can occur due to sudden forceful movements, overuse, or repetitive stress during activities that involve pushing off with the foot, such as running, jumping, or climbing stairs in the workplace.

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It can result from repetitive strain, overuse, or prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces in jobs that require extensive time on one's feet.

Compartment Syndrome: Compartment syndrome involves increased pressure within the muscle compartments of the lower leg, leading to pain, swelling, and potential nerve or muscle damage. It can occur due to trauma, repetitive impact, or prolonged exertion in the lower extremities.

What are treatment options for lower extremity injuries?

• Pain Management Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Injections
• Regenerative Medication
• Surgery

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive motion injuries from work are sustained through the repetitive performance of specific movements or tasks over time. These injuries result from the cumulative effect of repetitive stress, strain, and overuse on muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissues. Some common repetitive motion injuries include:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): CTS is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist within the carpal tunnel. It is often caused by repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as typing, assembly line work, or using vibrating tools.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis involves inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscle to bone. It can occur in various parts of the body, such as the wrist (e.g., De Quervain's tenosynovitis), elbow (e.g., tennis elbow or golfer's elbow), shoulder, or knee, due to repetitive movements or overuse during work activities.

Tenosynovitis: Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the synovial sheath that surrounds a tendon. It commonly affects the tendons in the hands, wrists, and feet and can result from repetitive gripping, bending, or twisting motions associated with work tasks.

Epicondylitis: Epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), involves inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that attach to the bony protrusions (epicondyles) of the elbow. It is often caused by repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting motions associated with certain work activities.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Rotator cuff tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint. It can result from repetitive overhead movements, lifting, or carrying heavy objects in occupations such as construction, painting, or overhead assembly work.

Trigger Finger: Trigger finger is a condition characterized by the locking or catching of a finger in a bent position, typically due to inflammation of the tendon sheath. It can result from repetitive gripping or grasping motions associated with work tasks.

Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. It can occur in various joints of the body, such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, or knee, due to repetitive pressure, friction, or overuse during work activities.

What are treatment options for repetitive motion? 

• Pain Management Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Injections
• Regenerative Medication
• Surgery

Pre-existing Injuries

You may be eligible for federal benefits not only if you sustain a new injury but also if your existing injury is exacerbated or worsened by your work duties. This means that even if you have a pre-existing condition or injury, if your job responsibilities contribute to aggravating or intensifying the condition, you may still qualify for federal benefits.

Nerve Injuries

Nerve injuries sustained through work can occur due to various job-related activities and physical demands that place excessive stress, pressure, or trauma on the nerves. Here are some common nerve injuries:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and fingers. It often results from repetitive hand and wrist movements or prolonged awkward wrist positions, such as those involved in typing, assembly line work, or using vibrating tools.

Radial Nerve Injury: Radial nerve injuries can occur due to direct trauma, prolonged pressure, or repetitive movements affecting the radial nerve, which controls movement and sensation in the arm, hand, and fingers. Jobs that involve repetitive gripping, lifting, or overhead movements, such as construction work or using hand tools, can increase the risk of radial nerve injuries.

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: Ulnar nerve entrapment involves compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve, which runs from the neck down the arm into the hand and controls sensation and movement in the fingers. It can result from repetitive bending of the elbow, prolonged pressure on the nerve, or awkward wrist and hand positions associated with certain work tasks, such as using hand tools or operating machinery.

Sciatic Nerve Compression: Sciatic nerve compression occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg, becomes compressed or irritated, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the buttocks and legs. Jobs that involve prolonged sitting, driving, or lifting heavy objects can contribute to sciatic nerve compression and related symptoms.

Peroneal Nerve Injury: Peroneal nerve injuries involve damage to the peroneal nerve, which controls movement and sensation in the lower leg and foot. These injuries can result from trauma, prolonged pressure, or repetitive movements affecting the nerve, such as those associated with prolonged standing, walking, or operating heavy machinery in the workplace.

Brachial Plexus Injury: Brachial plexus injuries involve damage to the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. They can occur due to trauma, repetitive strain, or overuse affecting the brachial plexus, such as those associated with heavy lifting, repetitive overhead movements, or prolonged work in awkward positions.

What are treatments for nerve injuries?

• Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Nerve Blocks and Injections
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Loss of Limb or Amputations

We employ various approaches to treat post-amputation/loss of limb injuries. Here are common methods used to address post-amputation injuries:

Pain Management: We prioritize pain management for patients dealing with post-amputation discomfort. They may use medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, nerve blocks, to alleviate pain and improve comfort levels.

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy plays a vital role in post-amputation rehabilitation. We develop customized exercise programs to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance mobility. We may also utilize techniques such as massage, stretching, and manual therapy to alleviate muscle tightness and promote tissue healing.

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients regain independence in daily activities and adapt to life with limb loss.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation: We can assist patients in the fitting and adjustment of prosthetic devices. Prosthetists work closely with patients to select appropriate prosthetic components and ensure optimal fit and function. Patients undergo prosthetic training to learn how to use their artificial limbs effectively and safely in various activities.

Pain Rehabilitation Programs: For patients experiencing phantom limb pain or residual limb pain, we may offer specialized pain rehabilitation programs. These programs incorporate a multidisciplinary approach, combining physical therapy, medication management, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and alternative pain management techniques to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.