If you have been in a car accident or any other type of serious accident, it is essential that you seek medical attention immediately. According to our orthopedic surgeons, it is important to do this irrespective of how strong or mild the pain is or whether you are experiencing any other symptoms at the time. (more…)
If you have been in a car accident or any other type of serious accident, it is essential that you seek medical attention immediately. According to our orthopedic surgeons, it is important to do this irrespective of how strong or mild the pain is or whether you are experiencing any other symptoms at the time.
Legal Reasons
Every year, there are more than 10 million traffic accidents in the United States alone. Sadly, if you do not seek medical attention immediately or shortly after an accident, the insurance companies may assume that you were not injured in the first place and that you are simply faking your injuries.
In cases where your injuries require physiotherapy or other rehabilitation services, these may be reimbursed by your insurance company if they believe that your injuries were indeed caused by the accident. From a legal point of view, it is important that you receive a diagnosis, proper care and documentation of that care as soon as possible.
Medical Reasons
There are several medical reasons for why you should see a doctor immediately after an accident even if you feel fine at the time or are only experiencing very mild pain or discomfort. First of all, your adrenaline is pumping immediately after an accident, and this may prevent you from feeling any pain at the time. Moreover, some injuries may not become evident until several hours or even days later.
Depending on the type of accident, the speed at which it occurred, the point of impact and whether seat belts or other protective equipment was used, numerous different types of injuries can ensue. Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include soft tissue injuries, whiplash, muscle sprains, torn ligaments and disc injuries, which are associated with both upper and lower back pain as well as neck pain. In addition, fractured bones are relatively common, and these may require orthopedic surgery.
Head injuries also commonly occur, and it is particularly important to have these examined promptly. Concussions may not be associated with any immediate symptoms other than some mild dizziness but can result in long-term problems if not treated appropriately. Similarly, intracranial bleeding or swelling may not be obvious at first but can cause severe symptoms later on.
Even if it turns out that you did not sustain any severe injury, going to the hospital will help ease your mind. On the other hand, if you are in fact injured, seeing a doctor or orthopedic trauma specialist can help you not only in dealing with your insurance company, but also in getting the treatment you need as early as possible.
How Obesity in Children Puts Their Muscoloskeletal Systems at Risk
In the last 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in the United States, and the number of obese teenagers has increased four-fold! In 2012, roughly 20% of all American children and teenagers aged six to 19 were obese, and over one-third were either overweight or obese. These numbers are startling to say the least, especially considering the numerous and significant adverse effects on health that have been demonstrated to result from obesity, as well as the negative effects obesity can have on a child’s confidence and psychological wellbeing.
In addition to greatly increasing the risks of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain cancers in adulthood, obesity in children has also been demonstrated in a number of scientific studies to put their musculoskeletal system at risk and to increase the risk of orthopedic trauma.
Tips to Keep Your Spine Healthy
The majority of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point during their life, and while there is no way to fully prevent back pain from occurring, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing chronic back pain and to keep your spine healthy.
Symptoms of a Torn ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments located in the knee joint, and is responsible for providing stability during walking and other activities. A torn or sprained ACL is a highly common knee injury, which affects more than 200,000 people in the United States each year, out of which approximately half undergo knee surgery. About half of all cases are moreover accompanied by other damages to the structures of the knee.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can affect anyone no matter how in shape they are. In fact, approximately 10 percent of all physically active adults suffer a sports-related injury every year, and more than 775,000 children under the age of 15 visit the emergency room with a sports injury each year in the U.S. alone.
4 Tips for Knee Pain Relief
The majority of American adults have experienced knee pain at some point in their lives, and many live with chronic knee pain. Fortunately, exercise and physical therapy have been proven to be just as effective as surgery for relief from osteoarthritis-related knee pain. Strengthening and stretching key muscles can help you to prolong your knee health and to relieve your chronic knee pain.
Occupational Therapist
General Summary
An exempt position responsible for helping patients improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. Patients may have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling.
Essential Job Responsibilities
1. Assesses patients and develops treatment plans in collaboration with physicians and other clinicians.
2. Assists patients to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Helps patients to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning ability and to compensate for any permanent loss of function to reach the goal of having independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
3. Helps patients in performing a variety of activities from operating a computer to dealing with daily needs such as dressing cooking, and eating.
4. Assists with patients with exercises that increase strength and dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to discern patterns.
5. Uses variety of equipment during treatment including computer programs to help patients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, problem solving, perceptual skills, memory, sequencing, and coordination to aid in independent living.
6. Teaches patients, particularly those with permanent disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, in the use of adaptive equipment including wheelchairs, orthotics, and aids for eating and dressing.
7. Follows medical practice policies related to compliance, safety, and infection control. Documents patient treatment and outcomes in medical record.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from accredited school plus master’s degree in field. Current state occupational therapist license, successful completion of national certification examination. Current CPR certificate.
Experience
Minimum two years of experience, preferably in clinic setting.
Performance Requirements Knowledge
1. Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, standards and applications.
2. Knowledge of physical, biological, and behavioral sciences as well as application of occupational therapy equipment, devices, and patient-specific therapeutic devices. Understanding of how to modify equipment as needed.
3. Knowledge of clinic policies and regulations related to infection control, safety. And quality improvement.
Abilities
1. Ability to collaborate with patients, families, and employers to modify workplace or home environment in line with patient’s condition, including identification of environmental factors and hazards.
2. Ability to communicate with patients and families in caring and compassionate manner to encourage behavioral changes.
3. Ability to analyze patient data and behavior and modify treatment plan as appropriate.
Skills
1. Skill in evaluating and treating patients.
2. Kill in proper use of occupational therapy equipment and devices.
3. Skill in assessing and recording patient activities and progress.
Equipment Operated
Variety of therapeutic equipment including wheelchairs, orthotics, and aids for activities of daily living. Computer hardware and software for record keeping.
Work environment
Medical office and exam room settings. May also require visits to patient homes and workplaces. Exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and conditions related to clinic setting.
Mental/Physical Requirements
Involves standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, and twisting. Must be able to transport/ transfer patient safely. Occasional need to lift/ carry and move equipment and supplies weighing up to 50+ pounds. Some stress related to dealing with concerns of patients and families.
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Physical Therapist
General Summary
An exempt position responsible for rehabilitating persons with physical disabilities. Patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as back pain, arthritis, and fractures. May specialize in orthopedics and sports medicine.
Essential Job Responsibilities
1. Helps to restore physical function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent permanent disability. Assists in restoring, maintaining, and promoting overall fitness and health.
2. Examines patients’ medical histories. Tests and measures patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function.
3. Determines patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the workplace or community after injury or illness.
4. Develops plans describing a treatment strategy, its purposes, and its anticipated outcome. Plan often includes exercise regimens at the clinic and at home to increase flexibility, strength, or endurance. May use the electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold compresses and ultrasound to relive pain and reduce swelling.
5. Teaches patients how to use assistive and adaptive devices such as crutches, prosthesis, and wheelchairs.
6. Documents patients’ progress, conducts periodic examinations, and modifies treatments with emphasis on identification of areas requiring more/ less attention.
Education Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from an accredited program; successful competition of clinical internship. Master’s degree in physical therapy preferred.
Experience
Minimum two years of experience as a physical therapist, preferably in a clinic setting. Current state physical therapist license. Current CPR certificate.
Performance Requirements Knowledge
1. Knowledge of basic science including biology, chemistry, and physics as well as biomechanics, neuroanatomy, and disease manifestations.
2. Knowledge of medical practice policies/ procedures, regulations, safety/ injection control, and quality assurance requirements.
3. Knowledge of examination techniques and therapeutic procedures.
Abilities
1. Ability to effectively communicate interpersonally in order to educate patients about their physical therapy treatments.
2. Ability to demonstrate compassion and desire to help patients.
3. Ability to analyze data and modify treatment plans as appropriate.
Skills
1. Skill in appropriate evaluation and treatment of patients including hands-on procedures such as deep-tissue massage.
2. Skill in using physical therapy equipment by consistently using devices appropriately to improve patient health status.
3. Skill in effectively maintaining equipment; successful completion of related competency testing.
Equipment Operated
Often demonstrates and helps patients use assistive and adaptive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and canes. Operates physical therapy equipment such as ultrasound, traction, and electrical stimulation.
Work environment
Medical office, exam rooms, and specially equipped therapy facilities. Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances and biohazards.
Mental/Physical Requirements
Often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods. Frequently move heavy equipment, lift patients or help them turn, stand or walk. Occasionally must be able to lift and carry 50+ pounds. Periodic stress from workload or anxious patients.
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How To Treat Sports Injuries
Because every injury is unique, our orthopedic surgeons in Jacksonville always recommend that you come in for any sports-related injury; however, there is a typical process you are likely to encounter as we work to heal your body.
