Your Job Could Be The Cause Of Your Pain - Common Work Injuries

Are you feeling the aches and pains of your job? You're not alone. From strains and sprains to herniated discs and carpal tunnel, the daily grind can take a toll on our bodies. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Your job might be taking a toll on your health. Whether you’re up and moving or sitting at a desk all day, there is a good chance your body is being affected by your daily routine. Common work-related injuries include strains and sprains, cuts and lacerations, back injuries, and degenerative injuries such as Carpal tunnel syndrome. Different jobs have different levels of risk when it comes to injury, but back injuries tend to be the most common. 

Common Work Injuries

Jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and prolonged periods of standing or sitting can lead to pain and inflammation. Some examples include construction work, teaching, nursing, and truck driving. Jobs that require you to twist your spine or have awkward postures causing inflammation and pain.

Some common work injuries that people experience include:

• Strains and sprains: These injuries occur when the muscles or ligaments in the back and extremities are stretched or torn. They can occur from lifting heavy objects, twisting or bending, or from prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Strains and sprains are most commonly seen jobs related to construction or fitness. 
• Herniated discs: This occurs when the cushioning between the vertebrae in the spine bulges or ruptures, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It can be caused by heavy lifting or repetitive motions. Herniated discs also tend to occur in construction jobs and other jobs that require physical labor. 
• Sciatica: This is a condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the leg, becomes compressed or irritated. It can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the leg and foot. Sciatica is seen in a wide variety of careers. It can stem from high intensive labor positions, jobs that require long periods of standing, and jobs that require sitting for extended periods. 
• Lumbar spondylosis: It's a degenerative condition of the lower back that causes the discs to wear down, leading to pain and stiffness.
• Fractures: These can occur from a fall or other traumatic injury, such as a car accident. These are less likely, but could happen on the job. 
• Tears: In some jobs where lifting heavy objects is required, torn ligaments sometimes occur when accidents happen. Knee tears, shoulders tears, and elbow tears are very common. 
• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition of the joints in the back that can cause pain and stiffness. It occurs gradually over time and is seen in older individuals. 

It is important to note that many injuries may have a gradual onset and may not be immediately apparent. These back injuries can lead to chronic pain and disability if left untreated.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is another very common work injury that stems from repetitive movements such as typing on a computer. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. This compression can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers. It is also associated with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually treated with a combination of rest, splinting, physical therapy and in some cases, medication or surgery.

Treatments

There are a variety of different treatments for sciatica. Each treatment plan at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics is personalized to each individual patient. Depending on your individual history, your treatment plan for Sciatica may include physical therapy, medications, surgery, and injections. 

At Garden State Pain and Orthopedics, we are able to treat all chronic pain conditions and most work injuries. Our team is composed of six pain medicine physicians, an orthopedic surgeon, and a foot and ankle specialist that treat a comprehensive range of injuries. For more information about our treatments visit our services page, or click “Book Now” to schedule an appointment.