Hip Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, NC

Common hip injuries that workers could be at risk of are:

• Labral Tears – A labral tear is an example of a hip injury that might develop over time due to repetitive motions. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, a labral tear results from damage to the part of the hip holding the ball and socket together.
• Hip Fractures – Direct trauma to the hip can cause the bones of the joint to break. A hip fracture or femur shaft fracture could limit a person’s mobility and keep them from working.
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis – The aftermath of a hip fracture can lead to the development of arthritis, a degenerative ailment that is painful and reduces mobility.
• Traumatic Subluxation and Dislocation – A person may sustain these injuries if blunt force trauma separates the femur from its position near the pelvic bone. Nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments in the area may also sustain harm when this happens.
• Hip Bursitis – Bursae are fluid-filled sacs throughout the body. Their purpose is to reduce friction between joints. Inflammation of these sacs is called bursitis, which can occur as a result of a hip injury or repeated stress.

Seeking medical care is critical if you think you’ve developed a hip injury. Some common hip injuries, like stress fractures, get worse without proper treatment.

Seeing a doctor as soon as possible can also help when filing a workers’ comp claim. The insurance company may wish to see medical evidence showing a link between your job and your injury. Establishing this link is easier when you see a doctor as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Hip Injuries in the Workplace

Some of the most common causes of job-related hip injuries include:

• Falls from heights
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Lack of proper safety equipment
• Safety equipment failure
• Being struck or crushed by heavy equipment
• Lifting heavy items
• Repetitive motions

You don’t have to work in an inherently dangerous environment to be at risk of a hip injury. Even a minor accident like a slip-and-fall could result in an injury requiring medical care. Such an accident could occur in virtually any workplace.

Types of Hip Injury Treatments

Proper treatment for a hip injury can vary depending on the specific nature of the injury. According to Penn Medicine, common hip injury treatment options are:

• Medication and Rest – Some hip injuries heal on their own if patients get rest. While they do, their doctors may recommend they use medication to manage their pain. In some cases, over-the-counter medication is enough to reduce a patient’s discomfort. Other patients may require injections of corticosteroids or similar medications.
• Supplements – Doctors sometimes recommend that hip injury patients take supplements to reduce pain and strengthen the hip.
• Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy – Performing physical and occupational therapy exercises may help a patient recover from a hip injury quickly. Such exercises could also help a patient avoid placing excess strain on their hip again in the future.

Potential surgical treatments for work-related hip injuries are:

• Labral Tear Repair – Doctors may use specialized tools and advanced surgical techniques to carefully repair small labral tears.
• Bursae Removal – Surgery to remove inflamed bursae is sometimes necessary when they don’t respond to other treatments.
• Partial Hip Replacement – A partial hip replacement is an option when the ball of the hip joint is damaged. A surgeon may replace it with an artificial hip ball.
• Total Hip Replacement – Total hip replacement involves removing and replacing badly damaged hip tissues.
• Fracture Repair – A surgeon may repair a hip fracture with screws, plates, and other implements. They might recommend joint replacement if the damage is fairly widespread.

As Penn Medicine notes, the surgical options available for hip injuries depend on the resources available to the doctors. If you have concerns about the quality of treatment you’re receiving, discuss this with your hip injury attorney. Our Raleigh law firm could help you navigate the workers’ comp system to gain access to the care you need.