Successful return to work following a musculoskeletal injury

Successful return to work following a musculoskeletal injury is facilitated by early intervention and rehabilitation that addresses the physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors in recovery. Job simulation and work hardening programs that involve the employee, the employer, and the health care providers are an effective approach to injured worker rehabilitation. The occupational health nurse's role can include early identification of injury, treatment coordination and follow up, matching worker abilities and restrictions to the job, and implementation of an injury prevention program. An injury prevention program should be worksite specific, and can include identification of injury hazards, preplacement testing, employee training, and ergonomic job redesign.