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THE
CENTER FOR SPINE SURGERY
AND WORK HARDENING
(219) 738-3500
Emphasis on
return to work programs, evaluation, functional testing and education
for individuals with neck and back pain or injuries and those recovering
from surgery.
 All
patients with occupational injuries are assigned a Registered Nurse
case manager responsible for coordinating services required by the
employer, physician, therapist, and patient. Staff includes nurses
and Occupational and Physical Therapists with industrial training
and proven experience. Services of an experienced physician are
available to handle injured workers with the focus on returning
the employee to work in the most expedient, productive, safe, and
cost effective manner.
OCCUPATIONAL
REHABILITATION SERVICES INCLUDE:
Work Hardening
Simulates work activities in the clinic to assess and prepare the
client for return to work. May be used in conjunction with other
services to aid in returning the client to light duty, restricted
duty, limited return to work, or full return to work.
Work Conditioning
Service for the client not ready to return to the work place. Patient
may have acute conditions that still need to be addressed. Keys
are strengthening, endurance training, and education to insure safe
performance at a client's job duties. Continuation of the home exercise
program and patient responsibility for improvement for maximum benefit
of the patient are stressed.
Work Site
Analysis
Assessment of the requirements needed to perform at a specific work
station and/or a specific job task. Weight lifting requirements,
body positions, repetition of movements, and other potential risk
factors for a particular work site are analyzed.
Repetitive
Motion Injuries
Assessment of the work station with recommendations for modification
and education are an integral part of the service. Occasionally,
bracing or other assistive devices may be recommended.
Light Duty/Return
to Work Set-Up Assistance
Consultation services available on an individual basis or corporation-wide
for a variety of job titles and work activities.
Back School
Injury Prevention Education
Preventive service providing training for groups of employees specifically
geared toward individual work areas. This is proven to be an effective
method of reducing lost time injuries and increasing employee satisfaction
on the job.
Functional
Capacity Evaluation (Isernhagen)
Two day test designed to identify abilities and restrictions for
an individual patient in preparation for return to work. Weight,
repetition, endurance, and general fitness are assessed. The patient's
ability to perform consistently and with good effort is also assessed.
A FCE has a high degree of predictability for return to work.
Pool Therapy
Provides an excellent environment in which to excercise for conditioning
and strengthening with reduction of weight bearing stress for the
more acutely injured worker, promoting a quicker return to work.
General Acute
Physical and Occupational Therapy
A variety of modalities as well as exercise equipment and treatment
techniques are utilized to treat the acutely injured patient.
Hand Therapy
Splinting, exercise, scar massage, adaptive equipment, and other
modalities are provided by Occupational Therapists in order to optimize
recovery or return a client to work following repetitive motion
injuries.
For more information
or to register for services, call the Rehab Centers at (219) 738-3500.
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