HEALTH & WELLNESS
Officers vulnerable to back, shoulder and knee injuries: Proper treatment key to relief
DR. ROBERT KAYAL
Dr. Robert Kayal answers your questions about ways to treat— and prevent— job-related injuries. What are some of the common injuries police officers suffer?
Police officers are highly susceptible to pain and injuries to their shoulders, hips, knees, back, neck and feet. Some of the common injuries they must deal with include shoulder dislocations, torn rotator cuffs, tendon tears of the biceps or pectoral muscles and labral tears and fractures. How do these injuries occur?
Problems typically occur in two different ways: through physical altercations or through repeated movements that create wear and tear on the muscles and joints.
Sprains, strains, tears and breaks can occur when chasing suspects or scaling fences and other obstacles. They can also occur during physical encounters with suspects. The simple act of handcuffing a suspect might seem like a benign interaction, but it can result in injuries. Officers are also hurt during falls with uncooperative suspects or when suspects resist arrest.
Injuries also can occur when police officers are carrying out daily routine tasks. The simple act of repeatedly reaching forward with the right arm to type on the mobile data terminal in the police car can result in shoulder and arm afflictions. Entering and exiting patrol vehicles hundreds of times each day is another potential problem because the constant pivoting motion can cause knee or back pain. Heavy gun belts, bulletproof vests and other equipment can have a negative impact on good posture. Poor posture takes its toll on the shoulders. How can these injuries be prevented?
Two of the keys to avoiding injuries are intense training and consistent rigorous physical exercise. It also can’ t be emphasized enough that core strength training and stretching regimens, like yoga and Pilates, can work wonders when it comes to eliminating pain and avoiding injuries.
Stretching helps keep tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues strong and healthy, allowing joints to move more freely and safely.
When repetitive movements such as entering and exiting a vehicle are the cause of pain or injury, it’ s important to use stretching exercises that will target the problem area. It’ s also helpful whenever possible to find alternative ways to move in order to reduce stress on a specific part of the body, such as the knee. What are some effective treatments?
First, it’ s important to seek treatment promptly, even if you think it’ s a minor injury that will heal on its own. Police officers are known for toughing it out through pain and other difficulties to get their jobs done and keep the public safe. But toughing it out isn’ t wise when you’ re experiencing chronic pain in your shoulders, back, knees, hips or feet. Often, serious injuries might appear to be minor. However, delaying a visit to the
doctor can aggravate the injury and even do irreparable harm. For example, an injured rotator cuff, if left untreated over a long period of time, can be more difficult to repair and extend the required recovery period.
To make sure you receive a thorough examination and proper diagnosis, it’ s also crucial to consult an orthopaedic surgeon, physical therapist or other trained specialist, preferably an expert in sports medicine or even the particular body part where you’ re suffering an affliction.
At Kayal Orthopaedic Center, doctors will try to resolve your pain or other problem using nonsurgical procedures whenever possible, including rest, physical therapy, pain management, orthobiologics, corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections and more. When surgery is required, Kayal Orthopaedic Center uses noninvasive procedures that help minimize scarring and pain, allowing police officers to return to active duty as quickly as possible. �
Dr. Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS, is the founder, president and CEO of Kayal Orthopaedic Center, P. C., which has three stateof-the-art facilities in Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock and Westwood, N. J. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a fellow of the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a repeat“ New Jersey Top Doctor,”“ Castle-Connolly Top Doctor” and recipient of“ Vitals. com Patients’ Choice Award.”
www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ JUNE 2017 95