When “Jo” commenced a work hardening program with Advantage Injury Management Services, she was working limited hours and performing limited duties as a Retail Assistant with her usual employer.  Jo had experienced a shoulder injury almost 6 months prior to the initial assessment and she had already attended 24 physiotherapy sessions and 7 hydrotherapy sessions, and had stopped making any gains.  Jo was referred to Advantage Injury Management Services after advice from her treating specialist to participate in a work hardening program.  During the initial work hardening program assessment, Jo was unable to lift her arm above her head or lift more than 5 kilograms at waist level.    Although Jo seemed somewhat hesitant to attend the gym, she agreed to attend and complete the work hardening program at least 3 times per week.

After one month of attending the gym, Jo felt that she did not need to attend hydrotherapy and she was able to focus on the prescribed work hardening program.  Jo was able to regularly progress the weights and repetitions of the exercise program and it was clear that she was also attending the gym on her own due to the improvements in shoulder strength and range of motion she was making.  Upon completing the 8 week work hardening program Jo had made the following improvements:

• Improved shoulder range of motion: (flexion from 110° to 180°, extension 45° to 60°, abduction 100° to 180°).
• Improved upper body strength as demonstrated by increasing the weights for the prescribed exercises of the upper body, (seated row, chest press, lateral raises, front raises, shoulder press, bicep curl and external/ internal shoulder rotation).
• Increased lifting tolerance: ability to lift 8 kilograms overhead during the final assessment compared to 0 kilograms during the initial assessment.
• Improved lifting to 10 kilograms at waist level compared to 5 kilograms during the initial assessment.
• Reduced shoulder pain: pain at least was scored at 6 out of 10 and pain at worst at 10 out of 10 during the initial assessment and pain at worst was scored as 0 out of 10 during the final assessment.
• Improved function: ability to hang the washing out and perform yard work with nil concerns.
• Ultimately, the client was able to return to work and achieve full hours and duties in her pre-injury role.

Jo was given a medical clearance 2 months after commencing the physical conditioning program allowing her to return to pre-injury hours and duties as a Retail Assistant.  Jo was so happy with her progress and began to really enjoy attending the gym.  In face, Jo joined the gym on her own and continued to exercise even after her claim closed.

Blog – Denise Tewes (Exercise Physiologist)