A work-related upper leg injury can significantly impair your overall mobility. Whether you spend all day on your feet or at a desk, your legs get you to where you need to be. But you probably don’t think about them all that often (especially if you aren’t running to catch the bus). When your upper legs become injured, however, getting around can become a painful ordeal.
Leg injuries in the workplace can occur in a wide variety of ways. Many of these injuries can be treated using physical therapy. And even in cases where surgery is necessary, physical therapy can be a critical piece of your recovery.
Working with a work injury doctor could mean a faster diagnosis and recovery from a work-related upper leg injury.
Common Work-Related Upper Leg Injury Types
As with any other type of injury you may receive while on the job, the nature of a work-related upper leg injury will vary depending on your occupation and the nature of your job. Some workplaces are more prone to traumatic accidents. In other situations, you may find yourself more likely to experience an overuse or stress injury.
In general, however, there are several common upper leg injuries that tend to happen more often than others. These include:
- Broken bones: The bones of the upper leg are pretty strong, but serious accidents can cause a break. Such incidents may require significant medical care and rehab, including physical therapy.
- Muscle strain: Muscle strain injuries can happen due to a traumatic accident (such as a slip and fall or collision) or due to simple overuse. Because the upper leg is a significant grouping of muscles, these types of injuries can be quite painful and restrict mobility.
- Overuse injuries: While they aren’t quite as common as they can be with the hands, overuse injuries of the upper leg muscles do occur. This can be especially true if you find yourself standing or lifting often while on the job.
- Ligament and Tendon injuries: Ligaments and tendons are critical parts of your musculoskeletal system. They help your muscles work. Injuries to ligaments and tendons can happen due falls, strain, trauma, or just plain bad luck. These injuries can cause pain and loss of mobility.
- Sciatica: A very large nerve called the sciatic nerve travels along your back, your buttocks, and down the length of each leg. Injuries to muscles, to connective tissue, or to the nerve itself can cause a condition known as sciatica. Those with sciatica may experience pain throughout the legs, buttocks, and upper back.
Can Upper Leg Injuries be Prevented?
Upper leg injuries can not always be prevented, but you can limit your risk of incurring such an injury. In many cases, this means taking common-sense steps to protect your safety. Some of the easiest steps include:
- Ensure to stretch and rest your leg muscles as necessary. Do not engage in heavy lifting, for example, without stretching first.
- Ensure your workplace is clear of tripping hazards.
- Wear slip resistant shoes.
- Follow all workplace safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of safety!
How to Treat a Work Related Upper Leg Injury
Sometimes, a work related upper leg injury will be immediately noticeable, thanks to pain and discomfort. In other cases, the symptoms may manifest slowly and over time (this can be especially true with something like sciatica or an overuse injury). When you notice symptoms, you should talk to a work injury doctor as soon as possible. This is true even if your symptoms appear mild.
Ways to Treat Your Upper Leg Injury at Home
Your work injury doctor may suggest that your injury can be treated on an at-home basis. This may include:
- Using a hot-cold approach: Take some time to ice your injury every day. After icing, use a heat pack on the muscle. This can help soothe the muscle and keep down inflammation.
- Doing some stretching: This may mean stretching before your job, signing up for yoga classes, or a more directed and therapeutic approach to your stretching. The goal is to loosen up the muscles and limit pain.
- Rest: Sometimes, the best treatment for an upper leg injury is simply to rest. This can be challenging because it often requires taking time off of work. Still, it’s often the best way to treat your injury at home.
- Over the counter pain medication: OTC pain medication, such as Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol (or their generic equivalents) can help you manage discomfort. However, these medications should not be taken for a long duration (as they may mask your symptoms and make your injury worse) unless you’re instructed to do so by your doctor.
In some cases, your upper leg injury may require clinical treatment from a work injury doctor.
When to See a Physical Therapist
At-home treatment may not always be successful. If your injury does not improve or if you find your mobility impacted, your work injury doctor may suggest that you see a physical therapist.
After a leg injury, the goals of physical therapy usually include:
- Building strength in the injured muscle group.
- Building flexibility to help avoid future injuries.
- Improving your range of motion.
- Improving your overall functional independence.
Most people who undergo physical therapy see a marked improvement in their mobility and comfort over time. This is especially true when your doctor is already familiar with the types of injuries that can occur while you’re on the job. At Diaspo, we have decades of experience helping patients recover quickly and get back to their lives fast.
Want to talk to a work injury doctor about your upper leg injuries? Contact Diaspo today to schedule an appointment and get the help you need!
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