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| Nursing
Back-injuries for a Nurse! |
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Question:
I am interested in the views and or experiences of nurses who have sustained a
back-injury either at work or not.This injury is responsible for a vast amount
of pain discomfort and loss of earnings worldwide.
Could you please post me your experiences or proposals for the reduction of
back-injury.
I would be pleased to share views and or receive histories of sufferers.
Answer:
First: Get everybody to ditch the "lumbar support belts". There's plenty of
good research to show that they do NOT decrease either the incidence of back
injury after the first six months of use, and their use IS associated with a
major increase in severity of the injuries that occur in users more days
out of work, more diagnostic exams, more surgery, therapy, and total
disability.
I had a two-level laminectomy for two herniations (blew 'em out at home, more's
the pity) (L4-5-S1) about 6 years ago (how time flies). Did not leave a 20-yr
career in critical care because of this, but have left it since and now see a
lot of worker's compensations cases and a LOT of back injuries, nursing and
otherwise.
Follow the research: Keep as active as possible immediately--- a month in bed
is the worst thing you can do for yourself. Take antiinflammatories. Get to
physical therapy, learn how to stretch and stay flexible, get stronger. If you
do HAVE to have surgery (severe radiculopathy with a clear MRI showing nerve
root impingement with bad sequelae), have microsurgery; get PT or get active as
soon as possible post op, don't wear a brace unless you have a fusion. Don't go
to any surgeon who tells you to be inactive for any time at all, or who doesn't
prescribe active rehab immediately. You'll be glad.
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