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A knee injury and resulting knee pain make navigating your everyday life and routines significantly more difficult. Not only is a knee injury painful, they are often immobilizing. When a worker suffers a knee injury on the job, it could hold them back from performing their duties and potentially force them to take time off work, causing them to lose income and financial stability. Fortunately, employers carry workers’ compensation insurance to help cover a worker’s medical expenses and lost wages when they’re hurt at work. For their best chance at a smooth recovery and return to work, they must choose a work injury doctor who puts their health and well-being first.
Your recovery is our top priority at Spine and Joint Institute of Milwaukee. At our clinic, we take the time to thoroughly evaluate your knee injury and its impact on your life. Then, we develop a treatment plan custom-tailored to your unique needs. All the while, we correctly document your injury and treatment for your workers’ compensation case for your best chance at approval for benefits.
Contact Spine and Joint Institute of Milwaukee today to schedule an appointment.
The treatment for a work-related knee injury and knee pain depends on the specific nature and severity of the injury, as well as factors such as the individual's overall health and functional goals. However, standard treatments for work-related knee injuries may include:
Resting the affected knee is often the initial step in managing a knee injury and knee pain, especially in the acute phase. Avoiding activities exacerbating pain or discomfort can help prevent further damage and promote healing.
Applying ice to the injured knee can help reduce knee pain, swelling, and inflammation. Ice therapy is typically recommended for short periods, multiple times a day, during the acute phase of injury.
Compression bandages or wraps can help reduce knee pain and swelling and support the injured knee joint. Compression garments or sleeves may also be recommended to stabilize the knee during activities.
Elevating the injured knee above the level of the heart can help reduce swelling and promote fluid drainage from the area. Keeping the knee elevated, especially during periods of rest or sleep, can aid healing.
Physical therapy is often a key component of rehabilitation for work-related knee injuries and knee pain. A physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee and address any underlying biomechanical issues or muscular imbalances.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may be recommended to help relieve knee pain and inflammation associated with a knee injury. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Depending on the nature of the knee injury, wearing a knee brace or using orthotic devices may be beneficial to provide stability, support, and alignment to the joint during activities.
In cases of severe or complex knee injuries, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair damaged tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, or cartilage. Surgical procedures may include arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair, or knee replacement surgery.
Individuals with work-related knee injuries and knee pain need to seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate course of action based on their specific condition and functional goals. Following treatment recommendations, adhering to rehabilitation protocols, and gradually returning to work duties under medical guidance can help optimize recovery and minimize the risk of re-injury.
If you sustain a knee injury at work, take prompt action to ensure proper care and facilitate recovery. Taking these proactive steps after sustaining a knee injury at work can facilitate your recovery, minimize the impact on your daily life and work responsibilities, and ensure a safe and successful return to work. Here's what you should do after injuring your knee at work:
Evaluate the severity of your knee injury. If you experience severe knee pain, swelling, or difficulty bearing weight on the affected knee, seek immediate medical attention.
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, following your workplace's procedures for reporting injuries. This documentation is vital for workers' compensation claims and ensures you receive support and accommodations.
Schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or an occupational health specialist, to thoroughly evaluate your knee injury. They can assess the extent of the injury, provide a diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment.
Follow the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider, which may include rest, ice therapy, compression, elevation, physical therapy exercises, medications, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention. Adhering to the recommended treatment protocol promotes healing and prevents further complications.
If your knee injury affects your ability to perform your job duties, communicate with your employer about any necessary accommodations or modifications to your work tasks, schedule, or environment. This may involve temporary light-duty assignments, ergonomic adjustments, or modified workstations to accommodate your injury while facilitating a safe and timely return to work.
If prescribed, actively participate in physical therapy or rehabilitation programs to strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility, and restore functional mobility. Consistent participation in rehabilitation exercises can expedite recovery and reduce re-injury risk.
Attend follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider as scheduled to monitor your progress, adjust treatment plans as needed, and address any concerns or complications that arise during the recovery process.
Keep your employer informed of your progress, any changes in your condition, and any challenges or limitations you may encounter during your recovery. Open communication ensures that your employer can provide the necessary support and accommodations to facilitate your return to work.
Familiarize yourself with your rights under workers' compensation laws and policies in your jurisdiction. Workers' compensation benefits may include coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and disability benefits related to your work-related knee injury.
Take care of yourself by prioritizing rest, proper nutrition, hydration, and stress management during your recovery. Listen to your body, avoid activities that exacerbate pain or discomfort, and give yourself the time and support to heal fully.
Common types of knee injuries that can occur in the workplace include:
Strains and Sprains. Strains involve stretching or tearing the muscles or tendons around the knee, while sprains involve stretching or tearing the ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. These injuries can result from overexertion, sudden movements, or repetitive stress on the knee.
Ligament Injuries. Injuries to the ligaments of the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), or lateral collateral ligament (LCL), can occur due to twisting, hyperextension, or direct impact to the knee. These injuries are common in occupations that involve frequent changes in direction, heavy lifting, or physical contact.
Meniscus Tears. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage structure that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint. Tears in the meniscus can occur due to sudden twisting, bending, or squatting movements, leading to pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Meniscus tears are common in jobs that require repetitive kneeling, squatting, or lifting.
Patellar Tendonitis. Also known as jumper's knee, patellar tendonitis involves inflammation or degeneration of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). This condition can develop from repetitive jumping, running, or kneeling activities every day in certain occupations, causing pain and tenderness around the front of the knee.
Bursitis. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction between the bones, tendons, and muscles around the knee joint. Bursitis of the knee occurs when these sacs become inflamed due to repetitive stress, kneeling, or prolonged pressure on the knee. It can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the knee.
Knee Fractures. Fractures or breaks in the bones of the knee, such as the patella (kneecap), femur (thighbone), or tibia (shinbone), can occur from falls, collisions, or heavy impacts in the workplace. Knee fractures are often accompanied by severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). ITBS involves inflammation or irritation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shinbone. Repetitive knee flexion and extension movements, such as those required in running, cycling, or climbing stairs, can contribute to ITBS, causing pain and discomfort on the outer side of the knee.
Dislocations and Subluxations. Dislocations occur when the knee joint bones are forced out of their normal alignment, while subluxations involve partial joint displacement. These injuries can result from falls, sudden impacts, or twisting movements, causing severe pain, instability, and swelling in the knee.
Individuals must be aware of the potential risks and hazards in their workplace and take proactive measures to prevent knee injuries, such as using proper lifting techniques, wearing supportive footwear, using ergonomic equipment, and implementing safety protocols and training programs. Additionally, seeking prompt medical evaluation and treatment for knee injuries sustained in the workplace is essential for optimal recovery and rehabilitation.
The ACL plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee, particularly during sudden stops, direction changes, and pivoting movements. An ACL tear refers to a tear or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the major ligaments in the knee joint. Here's what you should know about an ACL tear:
Overall, an ACL tear is a significant knee injury that can profoundly impact an individual's mobility, function, and quality of life. Seeking prompt medical evaluation, obtaining an accurate diagnosis, and following appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies are key steps in managing an ACL tear effectively and maximizing the chances of a successful recovery.
A knee injury and knee pain sustained at work will put your life on pause and challenge your financial security. The work injury doctors at Spine and Joint Institute of Milwaukee know what you’re going through and will provide essential care and support at every step of your healing process. With our experience and expertise in work injuries, we will help build your workers’ compensation claim resulting from your knee injury by documenting every detail of your injury and treatment. At Spine and Joint Institute of Milwaukee, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Struggling with a knee injury could bring about a lot of pain and uncertainty. However, you can rest assured that our medical professionals at Spine and Joint of Milwaukee will help secure your recovery with your custom treatment plan while building your workers’ compensation claim documentation at the same time. Schedule an appointment with our experienced medical providers at Spine and Joint Institute of Milwaukee today.
If you are not receiving proper care for your injury, you have the right under Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Law to choose your own doctor and to get a second opinion.
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