Hip injuries on the job are common due to the everyday tasks such as heavy lifting, bending, twisting, squatting, climbing, crawling, pivoting, and standing for extended periods. Sitting in one position for extended periods or standing all day can also cause strain that can lead to more long term hip problems.
Types of Hip Injuries
There are generally two types of hip injuries. They can be sudden, resulting from a slip or fall or some other severe physical strain. Sudden injuries usually cause specific types of hip injuries, such as injuries to:
- Hip flexors: a group of muscles in the front of the body.
- Adductors: the muscles that connect the femur to the hip joint.
- Hamstrings: a group of three muscles which connect the hip to the knee, and are responsible for knee movement.
These injuries can include hip socket tears, fractures, and hip joint misalignment or dislocation. There are a number of ways these injuries can occur in the workplace, including slips and falls, impact and collisions, fall from heights, or motor vehicle collisions.
Hip injuries can be gradual and form over time, especially when duties of the job require repetitive stress on the body. Repetitive stress can include lifting, bending, sitting for prolonged periods, or standing for long periods of time. Stress injuries are usually a result of stress fractures, and often include:
- Cartilage tears,
- Lesions,
- Bursitis,
- Muscle strain, and
- Pain or muscle spasms.
What Employers and Workers Can Do
Employers can help reduce their workers’ risk of hip injuries by providing adjustable workstations or by being flexible about what chairs or stools workers use at work. They can also provide regular breaks, and opportunities to sit or change positions while working. Additionally, anti-fatigue or shock-absorb
ing mats or floor surfaces can help prevent hip injuries associated with standing for long periods of time. Spreading high-stress and repetitive activities among several employees is another way an employer can protect their workers from hip injuries. Protective and proper footwear also helps to prevent stress injuries from long periods of standing.
Even with preventative measures, workers may sustain injuries to their hips at work. Hip injuries may require rest or, in more serious circumstances, surgery, which can lead to missed time at work. Medical bills or lost compensation can cause financial stress on the injured worker, and workers may choose to seek relief through a Workers’ Compensation claim. Hiring an experienced attorney to assist with a Workers’ Comp claim can ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are legally entitled. Contact our team today if you are seeking compensation for a hip injury you sustained at work.
