Is it a workplace injury?
A total knee replacement is an expensive surgery. Therefore, it is important to determine whether knee replacement is necessitated by a workplace injury or the result of ongoing wear and tear. And one knee replacement surgery can turn into two knee replacements down the road. Employers in most states are responsible for paying only claims that have a nexus to the workplace.
A knee is complex!
The knee is much more complex than the hip. The first artificial knees were essential crude “hinges.” Options are now much more sophisticated. Choosing a replacement joint depends on age, weight, activity level and overall health.
Knee replacements wear out thus a young person could easily need another knee replacement — also covered by workers comp — in another 10 years. Knee replacements wear out faster in a heavier person and with intense activity due to the weight and stress put on the device.
Three KEY Questions to ask the doctor
A treating or reviewing physician can be helpful in delineating causality. They should ask:
- Is the knee replacement the result of the workplace injury or the natural progression of underlying disease?
- Would this surgery be necessary regardless of any recent workplace injury?
- Did the workplace injury cause the replacement surgery to be indicated substantially sooner than otherwise?
Knee Replacement and Return to Work
After surgery, more than 95% of people experience significant improvement. Three to six weeks after knee replacement surgery, a worker can generally resume most normal daily activities such as shopping and light housekeeping. They should also be able to resume normal work activities for lighter duty positions. Driving is possible in four to six weeks if the workers can bend his/her knee far enough to sit in a car and has enough muscle control to properly operate the brakes and accelerator. A work hardening program is structured rehabilitation for the employee to safely build to full capacity gradually in simulated working conditions.
Ask Dr. Dave any general questions in the comments box below. We do not give medical advise, but are happy to respond to general questions not related to individual situations.
