Industrial Rehabilitation for the Triangle Area

Research shows that ergonomic evaluations reduce work injuries as well as the frequency of workers’ compensation claims. In addition, some companies may qualify for a discount on their insurance premiums.

Raleigh Orthopaedic offers on-site evaluations that consist of an assessment of the individual’s posture and body mechanics at their workstation and while performing their job tasks, an assessment of desk/computer and office layout, lighting and preventative stretching and postural exercises.

Raleigh Orthopaedic provides on-site evaluations that analyze the employee’s job demands and identify the physical activities required to perform each job task. Analyses are important when deciding to return to work with injured employees.

The following job required functions may be analyzed during the assessment:

• Push/pull force measurement
• Lifting measurement (including weights and heights)
• Positional tolerances assessment (bending, squatting, standing, walking, reaching, etc.)

Following the analysis, a detailed report will be provided that includes a general description of the job, essential and non-essential functions, information on the working environment, and specifications of the job demands. Additional recommendations for job modifications and ergonomic/safety changes may also be made. A job analysis report allows rehabilitation goals to be specific to the job and guide the decision to return to work. It also allows for post-offer testing (to make sure that individuals that are hired can safely perform the physical demands of the job) and Fit for Duty Testing (to make sure that injured workers are ready to safely return to their job).

Raleigh Orthopaedic offers Return to Work Testing, a type of Fit for Duty evaluation to determine if your employee who has been off work due to a work or non-work related injury can return to work safely.  The evaluation is conducted to determine if/when the employee can safely perform the physical demands of the job including repetitive activities, material handling and job specific activities. The test is shorter in length (1 hour versus 4 hours) and less costly than a FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation).

Raleigh Orthopaedic offers a comprehensive series of performance-based tests that help objectively measure an injured worker’s safe physical capabilities. The test is typically performed upon completion of treatment to determine return to work readiness. The tests gauge:

• Validity
• Reliability
• Effort levels

Raleigh Orthopaedic offers a comprehensive work conditioning program that focuses on returning people to their pre-injury position. The program includes simulations that mirror the critical work demands, tasks, and environment of the job the worker will return to. In addition, patients learn about proper body mechanics, work pacing, safety, and injury prevention.

In addition, Raleigh Orthopaedic Industrial Rehabilitation Specialists use WorkSTEPS, a nationally recognized program that is reliable, as well as a medically and legally defensible employment testing program. This program effectively reduces workplace injury incidence/cost and offers a variety of testing protocols.

For more information about the industrial therapy and rehabilitation services we offer, please contact our Industrial Therapy Department at (919) 863-6900 or by email at indrehab@raleighortho.com.

The Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic’s Industrial Rehabilitation Department at the Edwards Mill Office specializes in rehabilitating injured workers. Our industrial rehabilitation program strives to meet the needs of the injured employee, the employer, the case manager, the insurance carrier, and the physician, with the ultimate goal to return the injured employee to work as safely and as quickly as possible. We offer a variety of industrial therapy and rehabilitation services to restore function, improve productivity, and to reduce the overall costs, including:

• Acute injury care
• Return to work testing
• Functional capacity evaluations
• Work conditioning
• Job site evaluations

For more information about the industrial therapy and rehabilitation services we offer, please contact our Industrial Therapy Department at (919) 863-6900 or by email indrehab@raleighortho.com.