Firefighters put their lives and well-being on the line every day. They work in dangerous environments that sometimes lead to injury. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most common injuries that befall firefighters in Minnesota, and how physical therapy can be a helpful treatment option.
Common Firefighter Injuries
Firefighters have inherently dangerous jobs. As a result, they are constantly at a higher risk of injury. Here are a few of the most common injuries among firefighters in the state of Minnesota:
- Burns
- Strains, sprains & fractures
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Concussion and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Knee injuries (ACL, MCL tears)
- Shoulder injuries (including rotator cuff tears)
These injuries can be the result of slip and fall accidents, exposure to fire or chemicals, road accidents, and more.
Treating Firefighter Injuries
Successfully treating a firefighter injury first requires an accurate diagnosis. Depending on the extent of the injury a physician or physical therapist can examine your condition and deliver a diagnosis. Then, you can work with your medical professional to determine a treatment course. Since the potential injuries that a firefighter can sustain are various, treatment options vary widely. Some serious injuries may require surgical intervention, while others can be treated with conservative methods like pain medication, and physical therapy. A physical rehabilitation program can help with most injuries to get the patient back to their previous range-of-motion and (most importantly) back to work.
Physical Therapy for Minnesota Firefighters
OrthoRehab Specialists is a Twin Cities physical therapy practice helping patients with issues of the shoulder, knee, hip, back, and more. Our Minnesota physical therapists have over twenty-five years of experience and offer direct access to care within the state. Additionally, we have existing referral relationships with over 600 physicians who regularly entrust us with the continued rehabilitation care of their patients. If you have sustained an injury or are recovering from surgery, contact our Edina or Minneapolis clinics today to set up your appointment with one of our skilled physical therapists.