The Sioux Falls area has a few factories that make everything from windows to candy. If you land a job at one of these manufacturing facilities, you are likely to earn a decent wage. Still, you should not have to suffer a life-altering injury when performing your job duties.
Factory work often requires both strength and stamina. Even if you follow safety protocols and wear the correct personal protective gear, you may be at risk of developing an injury from overexertion. Sadly, musculoskeletal disorders are common in the manufacturing sector.
Musculoskeletal disorders
There is no such thing as a garden-variety musculoskeletal disorder, as the term applies to many different injuries you may sustain at your factory job. Generally, any injury to the muscular or skeletal systems may qualify as a musculoskeletal disorder, provided the injury happens over time and not as the result of a one-time accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following work-related repetitive stress injuries may qualify as musculoskeletal disorders:
- Muscular strains, sprains and pulls
- Ergonomic-related chronic back pain
- Hernias
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Medical treatment
Diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders can be challenging, as they often involve joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Regrettably, your primary care physician may have neither the experience nor the equipment to treat you effectively. Securing a referral to an orthopedist or another medical specialist may boost your chances of recovering completely.
While medical treatment can be expensive, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to help you pay medical bills. Ultimately, though, you must act quickly to pursue the compensation you deserve for your work-related musculoskeletal disorder.