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Occupational Medicine is a specialized field of medicine and other disciplines that focus on the prevention, treatment and remediation of work-related injuries. It has a major impact on the workplace, which is the source of more than 600,000 injuries each year. And the costs of these injuries are not measured only in terms of a person’s health and ability to continue working, but also in terms of the economic health of the nation, as work-related injuries reduce workplace productivity and job satisfaction.
Historically, the most common workplace injuries were from accidents and over-exertion – working too hard for too long or using the body incorrectly to lift, move or operate objects and machinery. Today’s workplace is much safer as a result of greater governmental monitoring of the workplace, scientific studies of the ergonomics of work, and employers’ attention to the specific demands of the jobs their employees perform everyday. But injuries are still a workplace problem.
The most common contemporary problems in the workplace are the repetitive trauma syndromes, or “overuse” and “cumulative” injuries. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, and tendonitis in the neck, elbow, or knee. Some of the factors that have been identified as contributing to these injuries are listed below.
- Repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands
- Rapid hand and wrist movement
- Frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects
- Prolonged awkward postures
Additionally, the risk of injury is influenced by the intensity, frequency, and duration of exposure to these factors, as is age and physical condition. Sociocultural background and psychosocial status can also affect an individual’s risk of injury.
As with other medical specialties, physician who specialize in occupational medicine have devoted an extended period of training to the identification of potential causes of workplace injury, to their most effective treatment, and to the remediation of work habits and techniques so there is a reduced risk of further injury when a person returns to work.
For example, you may have become injured by holding a tool improperly over a period of time, or by standing or sitting while performing specific daily tasks. By learning the appropriate way to correct these problems, you are less likely to suffer a repeat injury. Additionally, occupational specialists often work with companies to reduce workplace injuries by holding workshops in proper body mechanics that are related to the employees’ specific jobs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with on of our specialists, please call 1-888-563-KNEE(5633.
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