What is a worker’s compensation injury?
A worker's compensation injury is one that occurs while you're at your place of employment or performing job-related duties in another location. There are many different types of worker's compensation injuries, with most causing serious pain. Some common reasons for worker's compensation injuries include:
- Trauma
- Slip-and-fall
- Falling from a high elevation, like a ladder
- Repetitive stress
A worker’s compensation injury usually happens suddenly, although sometimes the damage appears over time. If you’re injured on the job or while doing job duties, you’ll likely work with your employer and case manager to get your treatment covered by worker’s compensation.
When do I need interventional pain management for a worker's comp injury?
Immediately after your injury, your initial provider recommends a recovery plan. Depending on the severity of your injury and how bad your pain is, you may start with short-term solutions like oral medication, rest, and physical therapy. If your pain persists for longer than expected and doesn't respond to the initial treatments, interventional pain management could be the right treatment approach for you.
In some cases, it may be as little as a few weeks or as much as several months before your medical care providers recommend the interventional pain management approach.
What are the treatments for worker's compensation injuries?
Athens Spine Center offers comprehensive pain management treatments, such as:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Bone marrow
- Dorsal root ganglion therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI)
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Facet blocks
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Discogram
- Medial branch block
The interventional pain management specialists often perform injections and other treatments using ultrasound or X-ray guidance, which allows for exact placement and maximum effectiveness. The Athens Spine Center team recommends a specific treatment plan based on your history, current needs, and goals.
What can I expect after my procedure?
Each procedure has specific aftercare guidelines, so the Athens Spine Center team gives you individual instructions on the day of your treatment. General instructions typically include:
- Ice treatment site to relieve pain on treatment day
- Ice or heat treatment site the day after treatment and beyond
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Resume prescription blood thinners the night of the procedure
- Report fever, sudden pain, bowel, bladder, and other urgent issues immediately
- Keep a pain diary for 7-10 days
The Athens Spine Center team evaluates treatment results with you to determine whether you need further procedures. Many patients can get back to work and resume full function more quickly than they’d ever thought possible.
Call Athens Spine Center at (706) 425-2400 to book a worker’s compensation pain management consultation today.