Repetitive motion injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained while on the job. One of those injuries is called Myofascial Pain Syndrome. This can be a very painful muscle condition causing you to be unable to complete everyday tasks.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is caused when trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers form after an injury or over use. Those trigger points are the root of the pain that can radiate through the entire muscle. Sometimes, the trigger points can even cause another unrelated part of your body to hurt as well. Some symptoms include pain, lack of sleep and stiffness, and pain in unrelated parts of the body. Treatment of the syndrome includes a mixture of physical therapy, stress reduction, and pain management and the issues typically will resolve itself over time.
Of course everybody has pain from time to time, but this trigger point injury is different. It’s a deep, aching pain that persists. If you have this pain and it doesn’t go away, you need to see a doctor.
Related to work and Illinois workers’ compensation claims, we see this injury over and over with workers who do repetitive motion jobs and activities where their muscles contract repeatedly. Because it’s not an injury from a one time accident usually, but over time, it’s VERY important that your treating doctor have an understanding of your job activities. In other words, you can’t just say you work at a factory and expect that will be enough information for them to say your problems are related to your job. You must be very descriptive about what you do, how often you do it, how long you’ve been doing it, the weights you are lifting, the level of force and exertion you are using, etc.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure exactly what to ask or say to your doctor. That is part of what we do for you as you aren’t to be expected to know what to talk to him/her about. Often we will be a part of that conversation with you or speak with your doctor directly.
From an Illinois workers’ compensation standpoint, these cases often get denied because insurance companies can find doctors who will say that your pain could have been caused by anything. That’s ok. We know how to deal with it. Whether you go with us or any other law firm, it’s important that they understand the medicine behind this injury as well as the right questions to ask your physician. If your case is compensable then all of your medical bills will be paid (whether you have insurance or not), all your time off will be compensated and we can get you a settlement too.
If you have questions about a possible case and or want our thoughts on who the best lawyer is for your case, contact us at any time and we will do whatever we can to help you.
