PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources

How predictable is the postoperative work resumption after aortocoronary bypass surgery?

The number of aortocoronary bypass procedures increased at the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the University Hospital in Leuven (Belgium) from 12 patients in 1971 to 650 patients in 1983. A similar evolution took place in the other existing Belgian cardiovascular centers and new departments were created to fill this need. The financial burden of the direct hospital costs of these procedures on the National Health Care program is considerable. The postoperative work-resumption will restore the patient's social dignity, it can increase the patient's personal income and thus decrease the indirect costs such as workmen's compensation; it will therefore improve the cost effectiveness of coronary surgery so that it can be offered to the numerous patients who need it for their survival or for the improvement of their quality of life. Studies about the employment status before and after aortocoronary surgery, as published from other centers, can not be projected on the Belgian situation due to the difference in population cohorts, laws regulating the working conditions, the national unemployment ratio and disability compensations. With this in mind, a study of the preoperative and postoperative employment and its predictability was undertaken.

Adult↗

Resection arthroplasty with Swanson's implant for posttraumatic stiffness of proximal interphalangeal joints.

Proximal interphalangeal joint resection arthroplasty with Swanson's implant should be considered as a simplified new hinge joint with a simplified shorter but isometric extensor system which will work if the flexor system is intact. The procedure is indicated in cases of severe, ill-tolerated, fixed joint contractures. Functional improvement with restoration of some range of motion can be expected. Patients should be aware that they will not regain a complete range of motion at the PIP joint, there will be limited involvement of the distal interphalangeal joint, and there may be some discomfort in cold weather. The procedure is not recommended for patients with a high risk of postoperative dystrophy, on workmen's compensation, or unable to understand the goals and limitations of a joint resection arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty↗

Back school. An overview with specific reference to the Canadian Back Education Units.

The Canadian Back Education Units (CBEU) in a review of 6418 participants found a significant subjective improvement in 69% of the participants. This figure improved to 80% when only patients who experienced back pain for six months or less were considered. Ninety-seven percent of the participants considered the back education program helpful. Patients who had completed their high school education, who believed that they understood the mechanism of the pain, and who recognized an emotional component to the problem had the best results. Functional improvement was most pronounced in the activities most often performed. Patients with pain persistently radiating below the knee and patients receiving workmen's compensation did not fare as well. Using a computer analysis of the variation in test scores from pretest to the review class, a statistically valid positive correlation was established between the patient's subjective improvement and the amount of information retained. The CBEU are an efficient, effective, well received, and cost-effective therapeutic modality in the conservative treatment of chronic low back pain.

Adult↗

Legal issues associated with the handling of cytotoxic drugs.

Legal issues associated with the handling of cytotoxic drugs are discussed. The essential legal elements of negligence and proof requirements are briefly reviewed as they relate to the liability of various parties for injury caused or aggravated by the handling of cytotoxic drugs. Legal remedies in these cases--such as workmen's compensation claims, claims against independent contractors, and claims against product manufacturers--are outlined, and common defenses to product-liability cases are presented. The legal basis for determining liability for injury associated with the handling of cytotoxic drugs and the remedies available for such injury should be familiar to hospital administrators, drug manufacturers, and all personnel dealing with these drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Differential ethnic standards for lung functions, or one standard for all?

The multiple regression equation predicting lung function values for a study population of South African Blacks is compared with equations predicting normal values for Blacks elsewhere, and in almost all cases is found to predict higher values. This is so despite the study population's high prevalence of respiratory disease and long history of exposure to crocidolite asbestos dust. This anomalous finding is explored in terms of some problems with studies generating normal values. In particular, the confounding effect of social class status on ethnic determinants of lung function is considered. Low 'normal' values for Blacks reported from South Africa and elsewhere are examined. The disadvantages to workers of being evaluated in relation to low norms are discussed in terms of preventive medicine and workmen's compensation. The application of a universal standard for all is proposed.

Adult↗

Occupational cancer: experience in Ontario.

This paper reviews the experience of the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario in identifying cases of cancer that could be attributed to occupational hazards. Worker's claims for compensation are allowed if there is reasonable medical evidence that their cancer was caused by exposure to risk factors associated with their occupation. Details of the types of cancer associated with specific carcinogens or fields of employment are discussed. About 50% of the cases were related to exposure in particular industrial operations that functioned for relatively brief periods. The number of deaths from cancer identified as being caused by occupational factors is compared with the total for cancer from all causes in Ontario during the period 1971 through 1975. Although all workers eligible for compensation may not have been identified, the data suggest that less than 1% of cancer is presently caused by occupational factors.

Aniline Compounds↗

Surgical treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Ten patients were operated on for plantar fasciitis (12 heels) by stripping the plantar fascia and superficial plantar muscles from the calcaneus. All patients were refractory to conservative treatment for an average of 12.4 months prior to operation and were followed up for a minimum of 24 months after operation. Complete symptomatic relief was obtained in all patients despite the presence of massive obesity in six. Hypoesthesia of the heel, which was present in five feet after operation, may have enhanced pain relief. Three patients who were receiving workmen's compensation returned to work within 16 weeks of surgery. One deep wound infection occurred and required surgical debridement before healing could occur. Surgical treatment is efficacious in selected cases of plantar fasciitis that are refractory to conservative measures.

Adult↗

Industrial accidents and their prevention.

Accident prevention is a task for all sections of the community; it should be part of the industrial process and not separated. It depends primarily on attitudes, communication and industrial relations. Money spent by management on safety is necessary, but it is not the only prerequisite. In the framework of workmen's compensation legislation where payment of lump sums for injury is the philosophy, the disability of the worker is the predominant factor. This is a negative attitude and early rehabilitation with the assessment of the worker's ability to perform is closely allied to accident prevention.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Total knee arthroplasty after failed high tibial osteotomy. A comparison with a matched group.

The results of 73 total knee arthroplasties in 67 patients after a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) were carefully reviewed at an average follow-up period of 73 months (range, 24-132 months). An extensive clinical as well as radiographic review was performed in an attempt to evaluate parameters that might portend more favorable or worse outcomes. Additional comparisons were made with two groups of 73 primary TKAs matched according to age, gender, diagnosis, prosthetic fixation, and length of follow-up period. The two comparison groups differed in that one (Group A) was additionally matched to deformity before TKA with a second comparison group (B) matched to pre-HTO deformity. On the basis of a 100-point knee rating scale, 36% of the study group patients had either a fair or poor result or required additional surgery. This was significantly greater than either comparison group (p < 0.01). Factors that prognosticated a worse outcome in the HTO patients (p < 0.01) included (1) workmen's compensation patient, (2) history of reflex sympathetic dystrophy after HTO, (3) early onset (less than one year) or no period of relief of pain after HTO, (4) multiple surgeries before HTO, and (5) an occupation as a laborer.

Adult↗

[Dog bite injuries with foreign body incorporation].

Dog-bite injuries represent a significant proportion of those injuries seen in a casualty department. Aside from primary wound management and determining the patient's vaccination status, X-ray examination is always indicated because of the possibility of foreign body inclusion as well as fractures. Plain X-ray views will reveal 88% of these foreign bodies. Our case involves a patient seeking workmen's compensation for a dog-bite injury and foreign body inclusion. Following removal of the foreign body, the patient was without symptoms and returned to his previous work.

Adult↗

Results of nonoperative management of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.

The results of nonoperative management of 53 patients with full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff proven by arthroscopic examination was as follows. Patients were treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication, stretching, strengthening, and occasional steroid injections. Average age at presentation was 62.2 years. Patients were evaluated at an average of 7.6 years. Forty patients were male, and the dominant limb was involved in 40 cases. Thirty-four patients were reviewed by questionnaire and physical examination, whereas 19 patients were evaluated by telephone interview only. In 40 patients, the onset of symptoms was associated with an injury. In 12 patients, workmen's compensation was involved. At follow-up evaluation, the 34 shoulders that were available for examination were evaluated for pain, range of motion, strength, and function. Thirty-nine of the 53 patients (74%) assessed subjectively had only slight or no shoulder discomfort. Of the 28 shoulders presenting within three months of injury, 24 (86%) were rated as satisfactory at the time of latest evaluation. Of the 16 patients who initially had had shoulder pain for over 6 months, only nine (56%) were rated as satisfactory. Most patients showed improvement with regard to their ability to perform activities of daily living. Average active total elevation was 149 degrees compared with 121 degrees at initial presentation. Thirty-two of the 34 patients examined (94%) had evidence of weakness on muscle testing and 19 (56%) had demonstrable muscle atrophy.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Significance of isthmic spondylolisthesis in expert assessment of occupational disease of the lumbar spine].

In Germany, disc-related disease of the lumbar spine is eligible for workmen's compensation if caused by long-standing work requiring heavy lifting or carrying or extreme trunk-bending (BK 2108). The appraisal of causality is particularly difficult if conditions like isthmic spondylolisthesis preexist. 250 consecutive appraisals in nurses concerning the BK 2108 were analysed, 12 applicants (4.8%) had isthmic spondylolisthesis (4.6% of females and 5.9% of males). The literature about the natural history of isthmic spondylolisthesis is reviewed. A person who has isthmic spondylolisthesis is up to 25% more likely to have significant back trouble during his life than one who does not. Back pain in adults associated with spondylolisthesis is usually heralded by back pain in the late teens or early twenties. Progression of the slip is rarely seen after maturity. Due to the loss of protection by the posterior elements the disc is prone to premature degeneration which, however, does not become clinically apparent in most cases. Longstanding vocational heavy lifting or excessive stooping can negatively influence the natural history of isthmic spondylolisthesis. It can produce symptomatic disease in a person who would otherwise have remained asymptomatic, or it can cause a deterioration in those with preexisting symptoms. Criteria for the appraisal of causality are proposed. It is stressed that the course of the disease in relation to age and vocational strains has to be analysed in each individual case.

Adolescent↗