Convenient Locations in Highland, Hobart, & Merrillville
A workplace injury can leave you dealing with pain, limited movement, job restrictions, and questions about what comes next. At Bone & Joint Specialists, we care for injured workers throughout Lake County and Northwest Indiana, with access to orthopedic services that include evaluation, imaging, rehabilitation, and surgery when needed. Dr. Kenneth Ham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has practiced in Northwest Indiana for more than 20 years, and his experience includes workers’ compensation care and independent medical examinations.
What Types of Work Injuries Do We Treat?
Workplace injuries may happen suddenly after a fall, lifting accident, awkward twist, or direct impact. Others develop gradually from repeated gripping, lifting, twisting, or other job-related motions.
These problems can affect the shoulders, knees, hands, wrists, elbows, back, and other areas of the musculoskeletal system. Our hand, wristimplemt, and elbow specialists also evaluate overuse concerns. For example, tennis elbow can affect people whose jobs require frequent arm movement, while falls, impact, and repeated strain may contribute to wrist injuries.
What to Expect From Your Evaluation and Treatment
Your visit begins with an assessment of the injured area, your symptoms, and how the problem is affecting movement and function. Your doctor can then recommend care based on the diagnosis and the physical demands of your job.
Treatment may include:
- An orthopedic examination and treatment plan
- MRI imaging when more detail is needed
- Physical or occupational therapy to rebuild strength, mobility, and function
- Bracing, injections, or other nonsurgical treatment
- Surgery when the injury and its severity warrant an operation
- Work Status reports completed within 24 hours of the office visit
- Coordination with nurse case managers and adjusters involved in your case
Rehabilitation and Returning to Work
For many injured workers, recovery also means preparing for the physical demands of the job. Our therapy team treats work-related injuries and offers work conditioning, job simulation and performance assessment, post-surgical rehabilitation, and injury-prevention education. These services can help you regain function while your medical team follows your progress.
Why Choose Bone & Joint Specialists for Workers’ Compensation in Lake County?
Workers’ compensation care often involves communication among the injured employee, medical team, nurse case manager, and adjuster. Our on-site workers’ compensation staff helps with treatment-related coordination and Work Status documentation.
You also have access to experienced orthopedic care within one practice. Dr. Ham has treated workers’ compensation patients during more than two decades of practice in Northwest Indiana, while our broader team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons, MRI services, and physical and occupational therapy. Bone & Joint Specialists was voted Best of the Region in Orthopedics each year from 2015 through 2024, with offices in Merrillville, Highland, and Hobart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Work Injury Develop Gradually?
Some work-related orthopedic problems come from repetitive activity rather than one specific accident. Repeated gripping, lifting, twisting, or similar motions may contribute to overuse conditions.
Do All Workplace Injuries Require an MRI?
No. Your doctor will determine whether imaging is useful after evaluating the injured area. MRI may help when a closer look at a joint, soft tissue, or spinal concern is needed.
Can Physical Therapy Help Me Prepare to Return to Work?
Therapy may help rebuild strength, mobility, endurance, or job-specific function. Work conditioning and job simulation can also address the physical demands of returning to your duties.
How Quickly Is a Work Status Report Completed?
Our workers’ compensation team completes Work Status reports within 24 hours of the office visit.
Will Your Office Work With My Nurse Case Manager or Adjuster?
Our workers’ compensation staff coordinates with nurse case managers and adjusters regarding treatment and Work Status documentation when they are involved in your case.
Get Care for a Workplace Injury
If pain or limited movement after a job-related injury is making work or daily activities difficult, our team can evaluate the problem and recommend appropriate care. Contact us or call 219-795-3360 for workers’ compensation orthopedic care with Bone & Joint Specialists in Merrillville, Highland, or Hobart, Indiana.
