Early Intervention for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Early intervention improves outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
‘Complete mayhem’ as healthcare system buckles under pressure.
This was the headline to an article in The Sydney Morning Herald on 11th June 2022. On the back of the pandemic, Australia’s tertiary health care facilities (hospitals and emergency departments) and GP providers have been overwhelmed. Doctors are tired, sick and burnt out. Looking for a GP appointment? You could be waiting a couple of weeks.
Research studies tell us that 30% of Australians live with a chronic musculoskeletal problem.
Acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most common reasons people present to A&E in Australia – things like fractures, back pain, ligament sprains and joint injuries. All up these account for over a quarter of all presentations to A&E and, accounting for co-morbidities, are a factor in nearly half of all presentations to a GP. While some of these presentations will require expert medical management (surgery, radiology, pharmacy, pathology tests), many could be managed effectively elsewhere. This inefficient use of health care resources is just one factor overwhelming the system, contributing to delays in treatment for musculoskeletal conditions that are detrimental to the patient and economically unsustainable.
How so?
Delayed treatment of musculoskeletal conditions has been shown to have numerous detrimental implications to the individual. Consider the following possible complications from delayed treatment:
- Gradual worsening of symptoms over time.
- Increased peripheral and central sensitisation with associated increase in pain.
- Greater dependency on oral pain relief (paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).
- Reduced joint range of motion.
- Muscle atrophy (basically loss of muscle strength)
- Deconditioning and reduced functional capacity.
- Reduced capacity to work.
- Depression and anxiety (Mental health considerations).
Delayed treatment can have broader social and economic implications as well.
For example, delayed treatment can lead to increased healthcare costs, as individuals with untreated or poorly treated injuries may require more extensive treatment and care. Delayed treatment can also lead to increased absenteeism from the workplace and decreased productivity, which can have significant economic impacts for both individuals and their employers.
Moreover, delayed treatment can impact the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, as the stress and uncertainty of a prolonged recovery process can be challenging to manage. This last point is particularly pertinent given that the HIGHEST reason to see a GP is for mental health issues.
To mitigate the impacts of delayed treatment on musculoskeletal injuries, it is important to prioritize early intervention and timely access to appropriate healthcare services. This includes providing access to physiotherapy and other rehabilitation services, as well as ensuring that individuals have access to appropriate pain management strategies and mental health support.
The Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in particular is well placed to assist in this space. Being a primary health care provider, as a consumer, you do not need a referral to come and see a physiotherapist#1.
Physiotherapists:
- Are highly trained health care professionals.
- Are skilled at triaging acute musculoskeletal injuries.
- Can assess, diagnose and treat most acute musculoskeletal injuries.
- Can effectively manage return to normal activity, be that social, work or sport.
- Can refer you for an x-ray, MRI or ultrasound if indicated.
- Work closely with local health networks and so can facilitate referral to GP’s, surgeons and other allied health professionals.
Solutions Approach
Through offering early intervention musculoskeletal injury assessments, Movement For Life Physiotherapy hopes to assist the local community and employers#2 by reducing some of the burden on our overstretched health care services. We’ve put on extra clinical staff and are ensuring individuals can access a physiotherapist within 24 hours (or the next business day) of sustaining a musculoskeletal injury to get the ball rolling.
We appreciate this isn’t going to solve the health crisis in Australia, but it will provide another option for local people and, through educating people about their options for managing acute musculoskeletal injuries, we hope to contribute to change around health care access in Australia.
Have you suffered an acute musculoskeletal injury? Give us a call.
We are part of a well-connected network of physiotherapists, massage therapists, doctors and surgeons and offer early intervention as part of a comprehensive health care service that is personalised, goal-oriented and outcome focussed.
Call now on 08 8945 3799 or book online.
Notes
#1. If you have sustained an injury and are covered by a compensable body (such as Workers Compensation, Motor Accident Commission, DVA) or if you have a chronic condition and are seeking treatment covered by Medicare, then you need to see your GP first.
#2. If you have sustained a musculoskeletal injury at work, check with your employer to see if they will allow you to access physiotherapy under an Early Intervention program.
Sources
Campbell P et al (2022). The Effects of Early Physiotherapy Treatment on Musculoskeletal Injury Outcomes in Military Personnel: A Narrative Review. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013416
Dinh MM et al (2016). Understanding drivers of Demand for Emergency Service Trends in Years 2010–2014 in New South Wales: An initial overview of the DESTINY project. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.12542
Ojha HA et al (2016). Timing of Physical Therapy Initiation for Nonsurgical Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Effects on Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review. https://doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6138
Zurynski Y et al (2021). Accessible and affordable healthcare? Views of Australians with and without chronic conditions. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15172
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/complete-mayhem-as-healthcare-system-buckles-under-pressure-20220603-p5aqtj.html
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