Orthopedic surgeons all across Pennsylvania are expected to be precise and highly skilled in order to perform surgeries well. Unfortunately, many of them also suffer workplace injuries as a result of their delicate work, and some of these injuries are severe enough to keep them at home. A survey published recently by the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery shows that although 44 percent of respondents suffered from on-the-job injuries, only a quarter of them actually reported it.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University conducted the survey, which revealed that 10 percent of the respondents have suffered a severe enough occupational injury that they were forced to stay home from work. Hand injuries were reported by 25 percent of the orthopedic surgeons who responded, making it the most common type of injury. Back injuries were also commonly mentioned, followed by neck and shoulder injuries.
The study also revealed a connection between the number of years that orthopedic surgeons have been in the profession and the occurrence of injuries. The risk for injury was lower among those who have been in the profession for less than 10 years. Injuries were more common among orthopedic surgeons with 10 or more years of experience.
The survey is revealing in that it shows many orthopedic surgeons who sustain workplace injuries suffer in silence. Few report their injuries, and only 38 percent of respondents said that their institutions offered support for occupational injuries. Anyone injured on the job in Pennsylvania, regardless of occupation, is likely entitled to benefits under workers’ compensation. It may be helpful for injured workers to seek legal assistance to ensure that the process goes smoothly and they receive all available benefits.
Source: The Huffington Post, Surgeons Can Get Injured On The Job, Too, No author, Nov. 27, 2013