ORTHOPEDIC OCCUPATIONAL KNEE INJURIES

By: Steven Babitsky, Esq.

When are knee injuries compensable under workers’ compensation? Often overlooked in the analysis of the claim is the mechanism of injury. What actually happened to the claimant and his knee at work?

For ligament injuries, a direct blow can cause:

  • Bone bruises
  • Chondral injuries
  • Selected other ligament injuries

For an ACL tear, the mechanism of injury can include twisting injuries with resultant:

  • Ligament damage
  • Meniscal tears
  • Patellar dislocations
  • Knee dislocations

Dr. Paul Weitzel will be presenting the Advanced Orthopedics for Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health Professionals pre-conference on July 15, 2013 at the SEAK 33rd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference to be held on July16-18, 2013 on Cape Cod, MA.

Dr. Weitzel will review the common occupational knee injuries and focused diagnosis.  He will present video overview of common knee procedures, new technologies in knee treatment and the common pitfalls in treatment and recovery.  Dr. Weitzel will explain the common reasons for delayed return to work, RTW expectations and therapy pearls.

Paul Weitzel, MD is the attending orthopedic surgeon and managing partner at Boston Sports and Shoulder Center. Dr. Weitzel is also an assistant clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine with a primary emphasis on minimally invasive arthroscopy of the shoulder and knee.  He is head team physician for Tufts University and Wellesley High School.  Dr. Weitzel received his BA from Yale University and MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He is fellowship trained in sports medicine from Tufts Medical Center.

For additional information about the SEAK National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference click here.

Steven Babitsky is the conference leader.