DSI JOB FUNCTION MATCHING LINKS REHAB/MEDICAL AND EMPLOYERS

Research shows that three main reasons why return to work is slowed in a workers compensation injury

• Often physicians state they do not know the jobs so they write work restrictions in medical terms not job terms
  (Schweigert, Christian studies)
• Supervisors are reluctant to return workers to work as they don’t understand medical terms and
  have not been trained to design work modifications (Liberty Mutual)
• Workers are fearful of reinjuring themselves upon return to work or they suspect that work
  modifications are not designed well (Coole, Watson and Drummond)

Employers and rehab/medical clients both want objective information on both the job and the worker’s job abilities. DSI Job Function Matching tm is the combination of the two components PLUS job modification needed to allow a worker to perform the job. Comments from supervisors and workers both state that the addition of the job modification has made it clear and easier to return a worker to their regular job early. (outcomes: WeatherShield and St Joseph Health System) READ MORE

RESEARCH UPDATE: Workers and Supervisors need, but do not receive, job modification information

In an article in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Dec 6 2010, Authors, Coole, Watson and Drummond of Division of Rehabilitation and Aging, Nottingham UK, presented their findings in an article: Low back patients’ experiences of work modifications: a qualitative study. Contact carolyn.coole@nottingham.ac.uk for further information.

Authors indicated that in their review of the literature, "work modifications can reduce sickness absence and work disability due to low back pain". To identify if this was happening, they performed a study of twenty-five employed patients who had been referred for back pain rehabilitation. All workers had expressed concern about their ability to work due to low back pain. Their results found that many workers had created their own work modifications, to the extent they could. A minority of the participants had received advice or support with work modifications through occupational health. But access to occ health was limited and usually only followed lengthy sickness absence. Implementation of their self-designed work modifications rested with the manager.

READ MORE

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME EXERCISE REDUCES SYMPTOMS

In an article In advance for PT and Rehab Medicine 4-16-10, Drs Carole Lewis and Keiba Shaw report reduction of carpal tunnel pressure and relief of symptoms noted in three research studies.

In short, common sense exercises for people with repetitive hand use and/or with carpal tunnel symptoms, do reduce pressure in the carpal tunnel and relieve symptoms. They particularly identify hourly exercises that include:

• Fully extending hand and wrist for five seconds
• Straightening both wrists and relaxing the fingers
• Make tight fist, bend wrists down and hold for five seconds
• Repeat straightening of wrists and relaxing fingers
• Hang arms loosely at sides and shake them for five seconds
• Repeat this cycle 10 times.

Ref: Seradge H, Parker W, Baer C, Mayfield K & Schall L, Conservative treatment of CTS: An outcome study of adjunct exercises: Journal of the OK AMA 95 (1) 7-14

A full review of all conservative care for carpal tunnel syndrome assists the medical practitioner. These exercises are offered here with their reference as part of a conservative care program. They are non invasive, focus on hourly quick rest/exercise breaks, and do remind workers of the need to watch positioning and ergonomic issues of their work in addition to providing temporary relief.

OSHA UPDATE: Categorizing exercise in relationship to recordability

In regard to OSHA's recordkeeping regulation "Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses", a set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed. In regard to minor pain determined to be work-related and the use of exercise, the following applies: "If a physician or licensed health care professional recommends therapeutic exercise in response to a work-related injury or illness, the case is considered to involve medical treatment and the case is recordable". In addition, it is noted that OSHA has listed a comprehensive list of "first aid" treatments and that exercise is not included on that list as first aid.

Note that in order to be recordable, the exercise has to be in cases that have been deemed work-related. Those that are not work-related are not covered or listed as recordable. In addition, the person recommending recordable exercise is listed as a health care professional.

READ MORE

WELCOME NEW DSI PROVIDERS in DSI JOB FUNCTION
MATCHING AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT

And, welcome, new expert level provider
All new and current DSI providers can be accessed
with the following link: View DSI providers
New providers
Aspirus Outpatient Therapies, Wausau, WI
Cooley-Dickinson Rehab, Northampton, MA
Country Roads Physical Therapy, Buckhannon, WV
Country Roads Physical Therapy, Fairmont, WV
McCombs and Associates Physical Therapy, Inc., Lubbock, TX
McCombs and Associates Physical Therapy, Inc., Levelland, TX
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, Clinton, SC
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, Easley, SC
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, Florence, SC
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, Lexington, SC
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, Summerville, SC
Sanford Medical Center, Sheldon, IA
Twin Boro Physical Therapy, Piscataway, NJ
Twin Boro Physical Therapy, Union, NJ
Velocity Physiotherapy, NY, NY
Wenger Physical Therapy, North Mankato, MN

Announcing expert level designation for
Gina Sandoval, PT, DPT, CEAS
Spine Solutions, Inc
Sante Fe, NM 87507
P: 505-690-6928
gina@s2pt.com