When you injure your back at work in Georgia, there is a good chance that you’ll start dealing with back injuries and pain medicine. Most doctors follow essentially the same treatment protocol. Doctors will prescribe the following:
- Rest
- Modified Activities
- Physical Therapy
- Medication
- Injections
- Surgery
Back Injuries and Pain Medicine with Surgery
However, this approach can create problems with back injuries and pain medicine issues. Unfortunately, the outcomes regarding back surgeries are not fantastic. Sometimes people do not have good result from the surgery because workers’ compensation delays have hindered their outcome. When the patient still has pain after surgery, they are frequently referred to pain management. This can result in an ongoing battle for the patient to handle during and after they have recovered from their injury.
See this post and video by Beth Gearhart on Workers’ Compensation Back Injuries.
Opioids
Unfortunately, we are now experiencing a “opioid epidemic”. This is going to make access to opioids much more difficult. In some cases, access should be much more difficult. However, opioids can be an effective treatment for chronic pain. Sometimes people just need pain medications in order to function.
According to the Washington Post, the reimbursement system is skewed toward prescribing pills. There will be more focus on non‑opioid treatments including physical therapy, counseling and perhaps even massage. More often than not, doctors will prescribe pills as the first course of action. In other cases, they will not prescribe pills even if needed. I expect that we will focus on alternative treatments and new methods for treatment of back pain in the future.
In Atlanta, we are seeing a change in the approach to opioids, and it is extending to surrounding areas like Marietta, Alpharetta, and Macon.
Call for Free Consultation – Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have experienced back injuries and dealing with pain medicine while fighting against the insurance adjusters to get access to someone who can help, it’s time to seek a workers’ compensation attorney. Contact Beth Gearhart today for a free consultation Georgia’s best workers’ compensation lawyer specializing in back injuries. Beth listens and cares about her clients and is considered the top expert in Georgia’s workers’ compensation law.
