May 30, 2024
Where Are You Most Likely to Sustain an Injury?
In 2022, workplace injuries numbered over 4.5 million, and that’s only counting those reported to a medical professional. Injuries on the job are common enough that employers and employees should always be prepared in case they are injured at work. This includes following safety tips for labor, knowing what common workplace injuries to avoid, and having recovery plans that can include recovery devices.
Gladiator Therapeutics has created several products that can help employees recover and lessen the impact of common injuries employees sustain at work. Now, we’ll delve into the most frequent workplace injuries, the role of safety in the workplace, and how innovative solutions like our SemiCera® Technology help manage and prevent these injuries.
5 Most Commonly Injured Areas of the Body
Labor workers and employees in physically demanding jobs are particularly susceptible to injuries. The most common injuries at work often involve specific areas of the body that bear the brunt of strenuous activities. These include:
- Back Injuries: Heavy lifting and repetitive motions frequently lead to several different injuries in your back. Poor posture and incorrect lifting techniques can also contribute to back injuries.
- Hand and Wrist Injuries: Cuts, fractures, and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in your hands and wrists are common at work. This is due to the manual nature of many labor-intensive tasks.
- Shoulder Injuries: Overhead work and heavy lifting can cause shoulder-related issues. Overexertion of your shoulder muscles can lead to accidents that lead to even worse injuries.
- Knee Injuries: Prolonged standing, heavy lifting, and repetitive movements can lead to several types of knee problems.
- Foot and Ankle Injuries: Slips, trips, falls, and heavy objects dropping on your feet can result in an array of injuries in your feet or ankles.
Understanding these common injuries is vital for developing targeted solutions to prevent them.
How Workplace Injuries Manifest
1. Back Injuries
Back injuries sustained at work commonly take the form of:
- Strained Muscles: A strained muscle occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. They can result in chronic pain and reduced mobility.
- Herniated Discs: A herniated disc is when an intervertebral disc’s soft inner gel-like core protrudes through a tear in the outer layer. This can irritate nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs.
- Sprains: A sprain is an injury to a ligament or the tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones at a joint. This causes acute pain and discomfort, often requiring rest and physical therapy.
2. Hand and Wrist Injuries
Hand and wrist injuries sustained at work commonly take the form of:
- Cuts and Lacerations: These are types of skin injuries where the skin is torn or sliced. These are common in roles involving sharp tools or machinery.
- Fractures: A fracture is where there is a break in the continuity of a bone. This can range from a small crack to a complete break. They often result from falls or impacts.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): These are injuries caused by repetitive motions, often leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Shoulder Injuries:
Shoulder injuries sustained at work commonly take the form of:
- Rotator Cuff Tears: This injury occurs when tendons of the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder are torn partially or completely. This results in pain and limited range of motion.
- Tendonitis: This is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, commonly due to overuse.
- Dislocations: A dislocation is where the bones in a joint are forced out of their normal positions. This results in loss of function and deformity. It can be caused by a sudden impact or awkward movement.
4. Knee Injuries:
Knee injuries sustained at work commonly take the form of:
- Ligament Tears: These injuries are where a ligament, the tough band of tissue connecting bones at a joint, is partially or fully torn. Common ligament tears include ACL or MCL injuries that cause instability and significant pain.
- Meniscus Tears: These are injuries to the meniscus, which is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). These injuries result in swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the knee.
- Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, joints, and muscles. Inflammation of the bursae can lead to joint pain and stiffness.
5. Foot and Ankle Injuries:
Foot and ankle injuries sustained at work commonly take the form of:
- Fractures: These are often caused by falls or heavy objects dropping on feet.
- Sprains: Twists and impacts can cause stretching or tearing of ligaments.
- Contusions: Bruising and swelling from impacts and falls.
These injuries highlight the need for rigorous safety protocols and ergonomic practices in the workplace to mitigate risks.
Introducing Gladiator Therapeutics’ SemiCera® Technology
Gladiator Therapeutics’ SemiCera® Technology offers a cutting-edge solution for managing workplace injuries. Our non-invasive technology is designed to reduce recovery times and minimize medical costs. Key benefits include:
- Non-Invasive Treatment: SemiCera® devices can be worn daily, providing continuous therapeutic benefits without the need for invasive procedures.
- Accelerated Healing: The technology promotes faster recovery and helps employees return to work more quickly.
- Cost Reduction: By shortening recovery times, SemiCera® reduces overall medical expenses and workers’ compensation costs.
This innovative technology represents a significant advancement in the treatment and management of common workplace injuries.
Treat Your Workplace Injury with a Therapeutic Device from Gladiator Therapeutics
Understanding the common areas of the body injured at work and implementing effective safety measures are essential steps in reducing workplace injuries. Gladiator Therapeutics’ SemiCera® Technology offers a new and effective approach to injury recovery by providing non-invasive, everyday wearable devices that accelerate the body’s healing.
If you or your employee has been injured on the job, consider Gladiator Therapeutics’ therapeutic devices to help with recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how our SemiCera® therapy can benefit your workplace and enhance your injury management strategies.