Did you know that orthopedic injuries are the most commonly sustained injury in the workplace? These injuries may be minor and require minimal treatment, but oftentimes they can be severe, especially if left untreated. But no matter the severity of your injury it is always important to recognize and report when you have been injured on the job. Documentation of a workplace injury is essential to receive the workers’ compensation that you deserve.
Most workplace injuries are caused by slips, falls, overexertion, and machinery or equipment misuse. Here are the top 5 most common orthopedic injuries in the workplace:
- Sprains and Strains
Sprains occur when the ligaments attaching two bones is is stretched or torn. Strains occur when the tendons attaching muscle tissue to bones are stretched or torn. Both can be caused by overexertion such as heavy lifting or by sudden movements such as twisting an ankle.
- Fractures
Fractures are when a bone has a partial or complete break. These injuries mostly occur during slips and falls resulting in forcible impact to the bone. Fractures can also occur after chronic overexertion causing repetitive stress on the bone.
- Dislocations
Joint dislocations occur when the joint is displaced from its normal position due to sudden and major impact on the joint. Dislocations should be treated immediately by a medical professional as the joint will begin to swell and become permanently damaged.
- Back injuries
Apart from sprains and strains, back injuries typically occur in office jobs due to prolonged sitting and bad posture. If changes are not made, this can progress and result in spinal degradation and possibly fusion.
- Tennis elbow
When a worker continuously uses their dominant hand, the tendons around the elbow become irritated and inflamed resulting in pain. Lateral epicondylitis, also know as tennis elbow, is a common injury based on repetitive movement and there are many causes for this injury, not just tennis. The pain may be mild at first but if the injury goes untreated, the pain will worsen.
It is a common misconception that minor injuries in the workplace are futile and don’t need to be reported. However, a stitch in time saves nine and reporting any injury to your employer and seeking medical attention as soon as possible may save extra time and work later. If you have been injured on the job, contact Dr. Chandra for a consultation today!
Dr. Ramesh Chandra has been practicing orthopedic surgery in the Washington DC Metropolitan area since 1984. The Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is easily accessed from anywhere in the Washington DC metropolitan area, with offices located in Falls Church, Reston/Herndon, and Tysons Corner.
