GOLD COAST ORTHPAEDICS & REHABILITIATION

Navigating the complexities of federal workers’ compensation for an orthopaedic injury can be overwhelming. If you’re a federal employee suffering from a work-related fracture, repetitive strain injury like carpal tunnel, a herniated disc from a lifting incident, or the aggravation of a pre-existing condition, our dedicated team is here to help. We specialize in providing comprehensive medical care for all federal work comp orthopaedic injuries, from initial diagnosis and non-surgical treatments like injections (including corticosteroids), physical therapy, bracing, and orthotics, to advanced surgical interventions such as fracture repair, arthroscopy, and joint reconstruction, and subsequent rehabilitation. Beyond expert medical attention, we understand the intricate paperwork requirements of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).

While we do not directly communicate with the OWCP on your behalf, we provide clear guidance and assist you in navigating your communications and all necessary documentation with the OWCP, ensuring your claim is processed smoothly so you can focus entirely on your recovery.

Expertise in treating common orthopaedic injuries for federal employees

• Traumatic Orthopaedic Injuries (Resulting from a Specific Incident):
  • These often stem from accidents like slips, trips, falls, lifting incidents, or motor vehicle accidents.
• Fractures:
  • Wrist/Forearm Fractures: Common when falling and attempting to brace oneself with an outstretched hand (e.g., distal radius fracture).
  • Ankle/Foot Fractures: From twisting or rolling the ankle in a fall, or impact.
  • Lower Extremity Fractures (Tibia, Fibula, Femur): Can result from more severe falls, being struck by objects, or vehicle accidents.
  • Vertebral Compression Fractures: From falls or significant impact to the spine.
• Sprains and Strains:
  • Ankle Sprains: Very common, especially from slips, trips, or navigating uneven terrain.
  • Knee Sprains (MCL, LCL, ACL tears): Resulting from twisting motions, falls, or direct impact. Meniscus tears can also occur acutely.
  • Back Strains/Sprains: Often from sudden awkward movements or improper lifting of heavy objects.
  • Neck Strains/Whiplash: Common in rear-end motor vehicle accidents.
  • Shoulder Sprains/Strains: From sudden jerking movements or falls onto the shoulder.
• Acute Tears:
  • Rotator Cuff Tears: Can occur from a sudden, forceful lift or fall onto the shoulder.
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture: A sudden forceful push-off or fall.
• Contusions/Bruises: While not strictly orthopedic in the sense of bone or joint damage, severe contusions can involve underlying muscle and soft tissue trauma.
• Repetitive Strain Orthopedic Injuries (RSIs) / Occupational Diseases (Developing Over Time):
  • These typically arise from prolonged, repetitive motions, awkward postures, sustained force, or vibration inherent in job duties.
• Upper Extremity:
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Compression of the median nerve in the wrist, highly common in roles involving repetitive hand/wrist movements (e.g., data entry, mail sorting, package handling, assembly work).
  • Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of tendons or their sheaths.
  • Shoulder Tendinopathy/Rotator Cuff Tendinosis: Common in roles requiring repetitive overhead reaching, lifting, or carrying (e.g., mail carriers, warehouse workers).
  • Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow): Affects tendons around the elbow from repetitive gripping, twisting, or forceful arm movements.
  • De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Affects tendons at the thumb side of the wrist, common with repetitive gripping and pinching.
  • Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Swelling of finger/thumb tendons leading to catching, often from repetitive gripping.
  • Bursitis: Inflammation of bursae (fluid-filled sacs) due to repetitive pressure or friction, commonly affecting shoulders, elbows (e.g., olecranon bursitis), or hips.
• Spine (Neck and Back):
  • Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Accelerated wear and tear of spinal discs due to repetitive lifting, bending, twisting, prolonged sitting/standing, or vibration (e.g., driving).
  • Herniated Discs: Can develop over time from cumulative stress of lifting and bending.
  • Spinal Osteoarthritis (Spondylosis, Facet Arthropathy): Degeneration of spinal joints due to chronic load and repetitive movements.
  • Chronic Low Back Pain/Neck Pain: Often multifactorial, resulting from cumulative ergonomic stressors.
  • Sciatica/Radiculopathy: Nerve compression symptoms resulting from disc or joint degeneration in the spine.
• Lower Extremity:
  • Osteoarthritis (OA): Particularly prevalent in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and ankles for employees with jobs involving extensive walking, standing, climbing stairs, or carrying heavy loads (e.g., mail carriers, warehouse workers, security personnel).
  • Plantar Fasciitis: Chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia, common in jobs with prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces.
  • Achilles Tendinopathy: Overuse injury of the Achilles tendon from repetitive walking/running.