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THE INJURY CYCLE - What injured workers, their employers and support people need to know and do.
An injury can be complex and therefore need a strong plan to ensure the personhas optimal chance for a full recovery. This table will provide information as a guide of what is available.
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ACUTE (trauma) PHASE |
ACTIVE TREATMENT PHASE |
CHRONIC / INJURY ADJUSTMENT |
WHAT'S HAPPENING? |
The body (or the mind following a critical incident) is traumatized and may be in a state of shock Initial medical and paramedical assessments are carried out to identify the nature and extent of trauma |
One or more treatments are usually implemented with goal of “curing” the injury or injuries. With major or multiple injuries a range of more sophisticated and expensive investigative procedures may be performed e.g. CT scans, MRI scans, bones scans, ultrasound, nerve conduction studies. It is important to remember that in all injuries and illnesses the treating doctor or professional does not make you better, he or she only stimulates your own body’s ability to heal itself.
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Despite time having passed and a range of treatments tried there are residual problems from the injury. There may be complications from the injury itself. There are frequently secondary and tertiary problems that may be as bad or worse than the injury itself – physical pain can lead to sleep loss, further irritability and depression. Persisting injury difficulties can result in inability work, unemployment and financial problems. Relationship difficulties are common. Hobbies and interests previously undertaken can no l.onger be carried out and frequently new ones have not been taken up. |
HOW LONG FOR? |
May last from a couple of minutes e.g. a small nick from shaving to several months after a major injury or surgery where there are multiple injuries involved.
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May be a couple of days for relatively minor injuries up to several years for more complex injuries. |
Usually at least 3 months post injury but usually 6 to 12 months on |
TREATMENTS GIVEN? |
In most injuries there is much emphasis placed upon rest. The objective is to stabilise the injury and move beyond any life-threatening situation to the treatment phase. |
A wide range of treatments may be implemented or proposed and will be dependent upon the nature of the injury, the training and preferences of the treating practitioner and the relative cost/ benefit of that treatment.
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Emphasis changes from active treatment to strategies for dealing with a chronic injury. These include individual or group pain management programs work hardening fitness programs. There is also an emphasis away from high dose analgesia to using alternative pain management strategies. |
EMPHASIS? |
Stabilising injury, preventing complications |
Finding and implementing the most effective treament/s to stimulate the bodies own healing processes. |
Fitness upgrading, non-pharmaceutical means of pain control, assistance with programs for long tem injury adjustment. |
TYPE OF DIFFICULITES ENCOUNTERED? |
Relapse - with major trauma or illness the stabilized organ or limb bleeds uncontrollably or stops working – after “heart attack” there is a cardiac arrest –that is it stops working and requires immediate resuscitation With less serious injuries relapse or a delayed healing process may occur if patient does not rest sufficiently or moves into active treatment phase prematurely |
There are many:
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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO |
1. Seek help from suitably qualified and experienced medical / par medical staff 2. Make sure the paper work is in place to ensure prompt processing and referrals – e.g. completing correct workers compensation or health insurance forms. |
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