It may be obvious, but it is important to keep in mind: Painhurts. That simple fact can make it difficult for employers,employees and providers to see beyond the quick fix mentality ofusing opioids as a first line of defense to mitigate pain.
It’s an important issue as the level, extent and duration ofpain is critical to the management and return-to-work (RTW)strategies of Workers’ Compensation programs. Is the first line oftreatment opioids? They do relieve pain and patients prefer themfor obvious reasons. Or should the initial treatment consist ofphysical therapy (PT) combined with less addictive analgesics?
It’s not an easy issue to tackle. There are workers so severelyinjured and in such legitimate pain, that PT is not an option, atleast initially. But what about all those other injuries? Thosewhere opioids are not clinically indicated?
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