If you have a repetitive strain injury caused by making the same motions over and over again, it can be incredibly painful. This may keep you from working, and you may need to see medical professionals to get appropriate treatment.
However, even this treatment can stop you from working. For example, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, doctors may start with non-surgical therapy options. These could include the use of corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wrist splinting and more.
But if this isn’t enough, there are surgical options. These can include open surgery, endoscopic surgery or even ultrasound-guided surgery. After surgery is complete, medical experts note that it can still take weeks or even months to recover from the weakness and soreness.
What if you don’t need such drastic options?
This isn’t to say that surgery is always necessary. Often, doctors will recommend the RICE method—which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Essentially, you need to give the injured body part a break and use these at-home treatment options to provide some relief.
But taking a break may mean that you can no longer do your job. Additionally, if you have to stay still with the body part elevated, on ice, or wrapped in a compressive bandage or heating pad, you may not be able to perform all of the duties typically assigned to you.
Seeking workers’ comp benefits
When your workplace injury keeps you from doing your job for an extended period, you may need workers’ compensation benefits. These can help cover lost wages and medical bills, so be sure you know what steps to take.
