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Keeping Alaskans working with CRT testing and analysis
By Donald Mormile, BS MS PT
Mormile Physical Therapy
According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, a total of 15,500 injuries and illnesses occurred in the private-sector workplace in 2001. Of the total, 48 percent, or 7,500 injuries and illnesses, were lost workday cases, which required recuperation or restricted duties at work.
Loss of or improper matching of a worker to an assigned employment task is very costly. In Alaska, 25 percent of all injured workers return to work within three months and another 25 percent return to duty within a year. But a full 50 percent will take up to five years to return or will not return at all. This is very costly in terms of lost productivity and medical claim expenses, as well as quality of human life.
How can an employer assure that the physical capabilities of the worker match the demands of the job? Cost reduction technology (CRT) isokinetic testing is the answer and provides the following:
What is isokinetic testing and what does it do? An isokinetic devise tests body segments, such as arms, legs and the spine. The specific body part is strapped to a moveable lever arm of a highly specialized and computerized testing machine. The lever arm is programmed to move at a constant speed throughout the entire range of motion of the given joint no matter how much muscular force the body part exerts upon the lever arm. The patient is instructed to give their best muscular efforts over a series of standardized repetitions. Common testing speeds are 60, 90, and 120 degrees per second.
Force curves are tabulated and grafted. A single blind analysis is then conducted electronically at a remote site. Statistical analyses include:
What is the significance of isokinetic testing? Because lever arm speeds are controlled the patient is unlikely to reinjure the affected body part. So, early testing may be administered, thus initiating early interventions.
Periodic testing over the period of the patient’s rehabilitation program will offer an objective documentation of progress, replacing subjective and inaccurate pain reporting methods. Accurate test tabulation will sort out patients not participating in their own recovery.
Comparison of body segment function will identify severity of injury and guide treatment planning and return to work prognosis.
Available normative data will assist decisions regarding the proper time to return an injured worker to full status or whether a potential new hire has the physical capabilities to perform a desired job.
We at Mormile Physical Therapy provide complete and personalized isokinetic testing and rehabilitative programs. We are the exclusive Alaska provider of the CRT testing and reporting system. We welcome inquires from employers as well as new patients.
Donald Mormile is co-owner of Mormile Physical Therapy. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in industrial and orthopaedic evaluation and rehabilitation. Call 561-1800 for an appointment.
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