902 N. Grand Ave. Ste 100, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (949) 415-5005

Personal & On-The-Job Injuries

Personal On The Job Injuries Orange County Orthopedic Surgeons 1 1 - Personal & On-The-Job InjuriesAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly 3 million non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses each year in the United States. The exact nature of personal and on-the-job injuries will depend on the part of the body affected and what caused it. When any resulting aches and pains are more than a temporary inconvenience, both diagnosis and treatment can be more complex and involved. Here's what you need to know if you've been injured:

Thoroughly Assessing Injuries

The first step in treating patients with a personal or workplace injury is to perform a thorough exam. Some injuries, such as those involving some part of the spine, may produce symptoms that develop later after the initial injury. Even when given a clean bill of health, it's still important for patients to look out for symptoms that may appear 24-48 hours or more after first being injured. A typical patient assessment involves:

  • An evaluation of the injury location
  • A discuss of what happened to cause the injury
  • Image testing (X-rays, CT and MRI scans) when damage to joints, bones, or muscles is suspected

Putting Together a Personalized Pain Management Plan

For injuries that go beyond cuts and scrapes, it may be necessary to put together a personalized pain management plan. This is often the case with on-the-job injuries involving the joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the musculoskeletal system. Pain management recommendations for injuries may include:

Personal On The Job Injuries Orange County Orthopedic Surgeons 2 - Personal & On-The-Job Injuries

  • A combination of short-term pain-relievers and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Rehabilitation exercises like gentle stretching and muscle strengthening
  • Electronic stimulation to change how pain signals are sent to the brain
  • Therapeutic techniques such as hot and cold therapy

Here are some of the treatments provided for long-term relief of personal and workplace injuries:

  • Platelet rich plasma (PRP) in extremities and spine
  • Alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M) injection therapy
  • Stem cell therapy (both adipose and bone marrow)
  • Occipital nerve block
  • Trigger point injection
  • Cortisone treatments (for ankle, greater trochanter, carpal tunnel, hip, knee, elbow, shoulder, trigger finger, De Quervain’s syndrome)

Common Personal and Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are often sudden, as is the case with a hard fall or slip. Such injuries can produce symptoms that include immediate pain, redness, and swelling. Some on-the-job injuries may develop slowly over time due to the repetitious movements required to carry out tasks like typing or repeatedly bending, stretching, or lifting. The most common workplace injuries include:

  • Walking into injuries (accidentally walking into a hard surface)
  • Reaction injuries (slipping and tripping without falling)
  • Falling object injuries
  • Overexertion injuries, which may lead to chronic pain if the joints and parts of the spine are involved

Offering Preventative Tips

Personal On The Job Injuries Orange County Orthopedic Surgeons 3 - Personal & On-The-Job InjuriesWe can often offer preventative tips to help minimize the risk of further injury when back at work. For instance, wearing protective gear that fits properly reduces the risk of being injury by machinery. Additional preventative measures may include:

  • Taking periodic breaks to avoid muscle strain from sitting in the same position
  • Doing gentle neck or back stretches to keep muscles flexible
  • Reporting any sudden or lingering pain sooner rather than later

Experience Matters

Since we frequently treat these types of injuries at our center, we have a solid understanding of what paperwork needs to be completed and what documents need to be filed and prepared. Having access to this type of assistance can make it easier to file claims and get the workers' compensation payments or reimbursements you may be entitled to receive.

Dr. Moheimani has worked on thousands of workplace injury claims and places emphasis on helping his patients find restored health as quickly as possible. Our entire staff understands how the personal and workplace injury compensation system can be challenging. We can work directly with your attorney, insurance company, or workplace to get the matter settled.