Comprehensive treatment approach for lower back workers' compensation injuries

A clinical outcome follow-up comparison of treatment and non-treatment groups was conducted to investigate the clinical effectiveness of a hospital-based occupational rehabilitation program. Twelve-month follow-up data were collected on 44 patients participating in a comprehensive treatment program and 20 patients referred for treatment but denied participation by their workers' compensation insurance company. Outcome data indicate that the population of workers' compensation low back injured patients who participated in occupational rehabilitation treatment subsequently were more likely to return to employment, consumed fewer analgesics, required fewer hospitalizations for additional diagnostics and/or treatment, and required fewer additional surgeries than a comparison group of patients denied comparable treatment.