Most Common Work Injuries

That sharp pain shooting down your leg when you lift. The numbness in your hands that wakes you in the middle of the night. The constant ache that makes every shift unbearable. You’re injured, scared about bills, and wondering if you’ll ever work pain-free again. These fears are valid, and we hear them from San Antonio workers every day.

At Injury & Pain Physicians of San Antonio, our board-certified work injury doctors treat workplace injuries with advanced, minimally invasive techniques. We’ve helped hundreds of local workers return to their jobs without surgery. contact us online or call our San Antonio work injury clinic at (210) 399-2472 for same-week appointments.

What Are the Most Common Work Injuries in San Antonio?

Private industry employers reported 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. San Antonio workers face many of these same hazards daily, from warehouse floors to construction sites to office desks. Here are the injuries we treat most often:

Overexertion and Lifting Injuries

This is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, with over 1 million cases annually. Workers who lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects improperly end up with muscle strains, herniated discs, chronic lower back pain, and ligament tears.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

These develop gradually from repeated motions. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects office workers and assembly employees. Tennis elbow impacts painters and construction workers. Rotator cuff tendonitis develops from overhead reaching. Early diagnosis prevents permanent damage.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries

Falls rank among the most frequent causes of workplace injuries nationwide. Workers who fall from elevated surfaces like ladders and scaffolding often sustain serious trauma, but ground-level slips and trips can be just as damaging. These accidents frequently lead to spinal compression fractures, herniated discs, persistent neck and back pain, and damaged joints requiring long-term treatment.

Equipment and Machinery Injuries

Hundreds of thousands of workplace injuries occur yearly from objects and equipment. Workers struck by falling objects, caught in machinery, or compressed by equipment suffer cuts, fractures, crush injuries, and traumatic nerve damage.

What Non-Surgical Treatment Options Work for Workplace Injuries?

We believe in exhausting effective non-surgical options before considering surgery. Our treatment approach begins with conservative care and progresses to advanced interventions only when necessary:

• Conservative Treatments: Physical therapy, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, and therapeutic exercises.
• Interventional Procedures: Epidural injections for nerve pain, facet injections for spinal arthritis, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation.
• Discseel Procedure: 30-minute outpatient treatment using fibrin components that are FDA-cleared for certain medical uses, with a reported 82 percent success rate.

Each treatment plan is customized to your injury, job demands, and recovery goals. Don’t let a work injury keep you off the job. 

When Should You See a Doctor for a Work Injury?

Most minor workplace injuries heal with rest and basic care, but certain warning signs mean you need a pain management doctor. Seek evaluation if:

• Persistent Pain: Your injury hasn’t improved after six to eight weeks of rest and over-the-counter medications.
• Nerve Symptoms: Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling that suggests nerve involvement.
• Functional Limitations: Your injury prevents you from performing essential job duties.
• Surgery Recommended: You’ve been told you need surgery, but want to explore non-surgical alternatives first.

Early intervention frequently prevents the need for invasive procedures. The sooner you get the right diagnosis, the faster your recovery timeline.

Why Choose Our San Antonio Work Injury Doctors

Our results speak louder than credentials. Dr. Narciso Gonzalez III is one of the physicians in San Antonio trained to perform the Discseel procedure, with a reported 82 percent success rate in treating chronic back pain. This fibrin-based treatment is designed to support healing and may allow some injured workers to return to physical jobs sooner than traditional surgical recovery timelines.

We maintain pre-established relationships with major workers’ compensation carriers in Bexar County, which means expedited authorizations instead of lengthy delays. We handle every authorization, communicate directly with adjusters, and provide all required documentation. Our bilingual staff serves San Antonio’s diverse workforce in both English and Spanish. We measure success by one metric: whether you’re back at work, earning your paycheck, and living without constant pain.

San Antonio workers often face the challenge of finding care that supports a timely and safe return to work. Our clinic is located at 1804 NE Loop 410 Ste 200, serving all of Bexar County, including Leon Valley, Helotes, Schertz, and Universal City, with easy access from I-10, Loop 1604, I-35, and Highway 281. We treat injured workers from USAA, HEB, Toyota Manufacturing, University Health System, Valero Energy, and countless other businesses. Local companies throughout Alamo Ranch, Castle Hills, and Terrell Hills trust us because we help patients heal.

FAQ: Answers for Injured San Antonio Workers

Does Workers’ Comp Cover Work Injury Treatment in Texas?

Yes, with Texas workers’ compensation coverage, all medically necessary care is covered at no cost to you. That includes diagnostic testing, injections, physical therapy, and the Discseel procedure. We handle all authorizations directly so you can focus on healing.

How Soon Can I See a Doctor for My Work Injury?

We reserve same-week slots for injured workers, and most patients are seen within 48 hours. For acute injuries, we often accommodate same-day or next-day appointments.

Will I Need Surgery for My Work Injury?

Many patients are able to avoid surgery after appropriate evaluation and treatment. Interventional procedures may provide significant relief for many patients, with some studies reporting improvement rates between 60 and 80 percent. We exhaust all effective non-surgical options before considering surgery.

What Should I Bring to My First Work Injury Appointment?

Bring your workers’ compensation claim number, insurance information, and adjuster’s contact details. You should also have your employer information, current medications list, previous medical records, photo ID, and any imaging films or discs if available.

Contact Injury & Pain Physicians of San Antonio Today

Every day you delay treatment is another day of pain, lost income, and increased risk of permanent disability. Your family depends on your income. Your employer needs you to be healthy and productive. You deserve to work without pain limiting your abilities or your future.

At Injury & Pain Physicians of San Antonio, our work injury doctors are ready to help you get back to work and back to your life. Call (210) 399-2472 or contact us online today.