Chances are you or someone you know has sustained a workplace injury in the last year. Although unintended, instances of work related problems are often unavoidable. Fortunately, with the innovative medical care available today, patients with a workplace injury can quickly and comfortably get back their normal activities, without pain or discomfort.
What are Workplace Injuries?
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, over 1 million workplace injuries occurred last year. While equipment mishaps or falling may immediately come to mind, a wide variety of injuries can be sustained on the job. Problems relating to repetitive movement, such as elbow or wrist pain from long hours at a computer keyboard, are increasing steadily.
Five Most Common Workplace Injuries:
- Overexertion – including pulling, lifting, and carrying.
- Falling – from a slippery or wet surface, or from a high level like the roof.
- Struck by an object – being hit with item from a shelf or thrown by a person.
- Caught or compressed – caused by machinery, such as that in a factory.
- Repetitive Motion – repeated tasks such as running or typing on a computer.
If you think you may have received an injury at work, report the incident to your supervisor immediately. This will ensure you receive appropriate medical care and compensation. The next step will be to contact an experienced physician for evaluation. Dr. Terry Whipple has over 30 years of experience as an orthopaedic surgeon, and is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. During your consultation appointment, it will be determined if orthopaedic treatment will be beneficial for your workplace related injury.
The Ideal Candidate for Workplace Injury Therapy
Anyone troubled with a bone, joint, or soft tissue injury, sustained at work, may benefit from orthopaedic therapy. The ideal candidate will be in overall good health, have a clear understanding of the recommended treatment, and hold realistic expectations for their results. At the consultation appointment, Dr. Whipple will determine if you are a good candidate for Workplace Injury therapy.
The Consultation Appointment
Prior to scheduling treatment, a complementary consultation appointment will be scheduled with Dr. Whipple. At this time, the surgeon will perform a brief physical examination, review medical history, and discuss current medications. This will also provide a chance to get to know the physician, as well as for them to better understand your desires for the future. The surgeon will explain your injury and detail the potential treatment options. If it is determined that therapy is right for you, a personalized treatment plan will be created. At this time, the patient coordinator will discuss the cost of treatment, as well as your payment and financing choices.
Treatment for Workplace Injuries
A variety of treatments are available for workplace injuries; most can be tailored to each individual’s needs. The therapeutic plan will be determined by the location and severity of an injury. At Hillelson-Whipple Clinic, both short-term and long-term treatment plans will be created; assisting patients to return to a pain-free lifestyle, with free range of motion, as soon as possible.
Commonly Treated Workplace Injuries:
- Back injuries (sprains, strains, disc problems)
- Neck injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Headaches
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Rotator Cuff tears
- Extremity numbness or tingling
All workplace injuries will involve several phases of care. These include eliminating or reducing pain and then treating the underlying cause of symptoms. Beyond the initial treatment, Dr. Whipple will provide his patients with beneficial strategies to avoid similar injuries in the future.
Payment Options:
The exact cost of your workplace injury therapy will be determined at the consultation appointment, which is always free of charge. For patient convenience Hillelson-Whipple Clinic accepts cash, all major credit cards, and financing through CareCredit. In many situations, health insurance may cover a portion of your workplace Injury care. Contact our office for more information or speak with your healthcare provider.
For more information on workplace injuries, treatments available, or to schedule a confidential consultation appointment with Dr. Whipple, contact our office at 804.290.0060. We are available to answer any questions you may have, large or small. For those patients coming from outside of the Richmond, Virginia area, we offer assistance with travel arrangements, and accommodation reservations. At Hillelson-Whipple Clinic, we consistently strive to make your workplace injury treatment stress-free.