Your Hand Therapist and You - Working together to help you return to work

Your doctor or surgeon has referred you to a hand therapist to help you: • Recover from your workplace injury • Return to work as soon as you can safely do so • Prevent a similar injury from happening again. During your first visit, your hand therapist will: • Ask questions about your work • Assess your injury and, if necessary, start treatment to help your recovery • Explain what you can expect during your treatments • Explain your role in recovery • Plan with you how and when you will be able to return to work Why is your hand therapist asking questions about your work? Your hand therapist needs to know the kinds of activities you do at work and the way your workplace is set up so he or she can: • Understand how your injury affects your ability to work • Advise on when and how you can safely return to your regular or modified work • Advise you on how to prevent a similar injury from reoccurring How will your hand therapist assess your injury? Your hand therapist will ask you questions about how your injury occurred and the limitations the injury is causing. He or she will examine the injured part of your body. If your hand therapist treatments are required, your hand therapist will begin right away. What may your hand therapist treatments include? • Exercise – specific exercises to increase mobility and strength; doing the exercises recommended by your hand therapist is very important to your recovery. • Control inflammation – such as ice, ultrasound, and laser. • Control of pain – such as ice, heat, mild electrical stimulation, and stretching. • Manual therapy – a “hands on” approach to improve mobility • Education – to help prevent a similar or future injury and control pain. • Home program – exercises that you can do on your own. Your hand therapist will explain how many treatments you are likely to need and how often you need to attend the clinic. You will discuss a target date for being able to return to work safely. The hand therapist is available to answer any questions regarding your treatment. Before going to back to work, you must notify your doctor, who may wish to see you. What are your responsibilities during recovery? Much of your recovery is up to you. Your hand therapist will show you how to do the exercises that will help you regain your strength and flexibility. Learning how to do the exercises correctly, then doing them at home as recommended by your hand therapist, is important. Remain as active as you can during your recovery. This will help your recovery and get you back to your regular job as soon as possible. Your hand therapist will provide guidance regarding the types of activities that are beneficial. Keep in touch with your employer and be willing to do tasks that your hand therapist, doctor, and employer agree you are able to safely do. If you cannot return to your regular job, WorkSafe BC will contact your employer to see if there is suitable work. When will you be able to return to work? Your hand therapist and your doctor will both discuss with you when you might be able to return to work. Here are some possibilities: • Your return to your regular job as soon as you are able to do so safely • You return to your job with temporary modifications in your hours of work, the tasks you do, and/or the way you do your tasks for a defined period of time Your hand therapist may recommend that you return to work before you feel you are fully recovered. The type of activities that you do at work may contribute to a faster recovery. If necessary, you will continue your hand therapist treatment for a brief period after you return to work. Return to work is good recovery Return-to-work programs are based on the idea that many injured workers can safely perform work during their recovery period and doing so provides emotional and physical benefits which can help in recovery. WorkSafe BC nurse advisors are here to help you return to work and recover from your injury. What is a nurse advisor? A nurse advisor is a registered nurse with additional training and education focused on recovery and return-to-work planning. The nurse advisor does not handle claim entitlement issues. How can the nurse advisor help you? The nurse advisor may contact you to assist with developing a return-to-work plan. In doing so the nurse advisor may: • Collobarate with you and your physician, employer and health care provider • Organize, start, and monitor a return-to-work plan • Support you throughout the recovery process Other important questions for you and your hand therapist to discuss Who pays for your hand therapist treatments • If you have reported your injury to your employer and WorkSafe BC, you will have a claim number. • If WorkSafe BC accepts your claim then WorkSafe BC will pay your hand therapist directly. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY COSTS • If your claim is not accepted, you are responsible for the full cost of your hand therapist care • If your claim is pending on the date of your initial visit and then not accepted, your hand therapist will directly bill WorkSafe BC for the initial visit only and reimburse you any money paid for this visit. What if you have not started a claim with WorkSafe BC? Call WorkSafe BC at one of the following numbers: General claim or entitlement inquiries Lower Mainland 604-231-8888 You will be given a claim number, which you can give to your hand therapist. Keep these numbers close at hand so you can call if you have any questions about your claim. What if you have not returned to work as you and your hand therapist planned? If you have not returned to work as planned, WorkSafe BC will work with your doctor and physiotherapist to confirm a future treatment plan. While receiving hand therapist treatment, how often should you go to your doctor? Go to your doctor if: • Your condition changes significantly • Your physiotherapist recommends a visit • Your doctor recommends a visit Your doctor is not required to send progress reports to WorkSafe BC for you to continue receiving compensation payment. If you have had a workplace injury, call one of our offices to book an appointment for your initial assessment.