{"id":6148,"date":"2023-06-28T09:28:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T13:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=6148"},"modified":"2023-06-20T15:21:20","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T19:21:20","slug":"tendonitis-and-workers-compensation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/tendonitis-and-workers-compensation\/","title":{"rendered":"Tendonitis and Workers Compensation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many workers in North Carolina and Virginia suffer with and cannot work due to tendonitis. The Mayo Clinic<\/a> defines tendonitis as “inflammation of the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone.” The cords are known as tendons. Tendonitis can occur in any tendon but is most common around a worker\u2019s shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. While physical therapy and medications are the usual remedies, some tendon inflammation can cause a tear which may require surgery. <\/p>\n

The different types of tendonitis include Achilles tendonitis, golfer\u2019s elbow, patellar tendonitis, and tennis elbow.<\/p>\n

Common tendonitis symptoms occur where the tendon attaches to the bone. Symptoms may include pain (“often described as a dull ache, especially when moving the hurt limb or joint”), mild swelling, and tenderness.<\/p>\n

Common causes of tendonitis include an injury, and repetitive motions that place a lot of stress on the tendons. Jobs that involve the same repeat motions, age, and doing certain physical activities improperly are common causes of tendonitis. Manual labor can cause tendonitis if the motions are repetitive, in awkward positions, forced, due to vibrations, or if there is a lot of overhead reaching.<\/p>\n

Repetitive Stress Injuries<\/a> are Generally NOT Compensable as Workers Compensation<\/p>\n

It must be said as clearly as possible that unfortunately, if the tendonitis is due to repetitive motions or stress from the work of a job that occurs over time (typically many years) that is NOT going to be a compensable claim, unless the repetitive stress injury involves carpal tunnel syndrome<\/a>, which is often recognized as an occupational disease. In addition, the Industrial Commission has carved out an exception for bursitis<\/a> as a classified occupational disease<\/a> “due to intermittent pressure in employment.” Bursitis<\/a> is an inflammation of one of the fluid sacs inside your joints, and it typically occurs in the elbow, shoulder, hip, or knee. <\/p>\n

That being said, if it can be shown that the tendinitis originated from a sudden, traumatic injury<\/a> that occurred at work, then if that sudden injury occurred as a result of a compensable injury by accident<\/a>, then the developing tendonitis would be considered part of that injury, and likely covered by workers compensation. <\/p>\n

Some of the factors that increase the risk of tendinitis include:<\/p>\n