Work Related Injuries

In 2020, more than 55 million Americans suffered work-related injuries. If you slip and fall or experience another type of injury at work, it’s crucial to get treated. At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, urgent care specialist Bilal Khodr, MD, provides same-day diagnosis and treatment of work-related injuries. To make an appointment, call the office in Lake City, Florida, or book online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.

What are work-related injuries?

A work-related injury occurs while you’re on the job. Some work injuries are acute, meaning they occur suddenly. Others develop slowly over an extended period as a result of general wear-and-tear. 

If you experience an injury at work, stop everything immediately. Let your supervisor know what happened, and then visit Mercy Medical Urgent Care. After a physical exam and a discussion of your symptoms, your provider can make treatment recommendations.

What activities increase the risk of work-related injuries?

Various activities may increase your risk of a work-related injury, including:

• Using a computer mouse
• Sitting for extended periods
• Swiping items at a checkout
• Grasping hand tools
• Working on an assembly line
• Standing on hard surfaces, like concrete or asphalt

You’re also more likely to suffer a work-related injury if you don’t wear the proper safety equipment. Before clocking in, make sure you’re wearing everything required to get the job done.

When should I seek treatment for work-related injuries?

Make an appointment at Mercy Medical Urgent Care if you experience any symptoms of a work-related injury, including:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tingling or numbness
• Throbbing 
• Weakness

That’s especially true if you’ve tried at-home treatments, like ice or over-the-counter pain medication, and your symptoms get worse or don’t improve.

How are work-related injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose a work-related injury, your Mercy Medical Urgent Care provider reviews your health history and asks about the injury, including what you were doing when it occurred, the type of symptoms you’re experiencing, and if they’re worse during certain activities.

Next, your provider performs a physical exam. During the exam, they look for visible signs of injury, like redness, bruising, or swelling. They also test your flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength.

If these tests don’t provide enough insight to make a diagnosis, your provider orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures capture detailed images of your hard and soft tissues, and can rule out fractures, dislocated joints, or torn ligaments.

How are work-related injuries treated?

Treatment of work-related injuries depends on various factors, including your age, the severity of your symptoms, and their effect on your quality of life. Mercy Medical Urgent Care might recommend:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication
• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Stress reduction
• Relaxation training
• Wrapping the area with a cast or splint

The goal of treatment is to relieve the pain and encourage your body’s natural healing process.

To explore the various treatment options for work-related injuries, make an appointment at Mercy Medical Urgent Care by calling the office, booking online, or walking in during regular business hours.