DWD 81.08(3)(j)(j) Bedrest. Prolonged restriction of activity and immobilization are detrimental to a patient’s recovery. Bedrest may not be prescribed for more than 7 days. DWD 81.08(3)(k)(k) Spinal braces and other movement restricting appliances. Spinal braces and other movement-restricting appliances required for longer than 2 weeks shall be accompanied by active muscle strengthening exercise to avoid deconditioning and prolonged disability. All of the following guidelines apply to spinal braces and other movement-restricting appliances: DWD 81.08(3)(k)2.2. Maximum treatment frequency is limited to intermittent use during times of increased physical stress or prophylactic use at work. DWD 81.08(3)(k)3.3. Maximum continuous duration is 3 weeks unless patient is status postfusion. DWD 81.08(4)(a)(a) Active treatment modalities shall be used as set forth in pars. (b) to (f). A health care provider’s use of active treatment modalities may extend past the 12-week limit on passive treatment modalities, so long as the maximum durations for the active treatment modalities are not exceeded. DWD 81.08(4)(b)(b) Education shall teach the patient about pertinent anatomy and physiology as it relates to spinal function for the purpose of injury prevention. Education includes training on posture, biomechanics, and relaxation. The maximum number of treatments is 3 visits, which include an initial education and training session and 2 follow-up visits. DWD 81.08(4)(c)(c) Posture and work method training shall instruct the patient in the proper performance of job activities. Topics include proper positioning of the trunk, back and arms, use of optimum biomechanics in performing job tasks, and appropriate pacing of activities. Methods may include didactic sessions, demonstrations, exercises, and simulated work tasks. The maximum number of treatments is 3 visits. DWD 81.08(4)(d)(d) Worksite analysis and modification shall examine the patient’s work station, tools, and job duties. A health care provider may make recommendations for the alteration of the work station, selection of alternate tools, modification of job duties, and provision of adaptive equipment. The maximum number of treatments is 3 visits. DWD 81.08(4)(e)(e) Exercise, which is important to the success of an initial nonsurgical treatment program and a return to normal activity, shall include active patient participation in activities designed to increase flexibility, strength, endurance, or muscle relaxation. Exercise shall, at least in part, be specifically aimed at the musculature of the thoracic spine. Aerobic exercise and extremity strengthening may be performed as adjunctive treatment but may not be the primary focus of the exercise program. DWD 81.08(4)(f)(f) Exercises shall be evaluated to determine if the desired goals are being attained. Strength, flexibility, and endurance shall be objectively measured. A health care provider may objectively measure the treatment response as often as necessary for optimal care after the initial evaluation. Subdivisions 1. and 2. govern supervised and unsupervised exercise, except for computerized exercise programs and health clubs, which are governed by s. DWD 81.13. DWD 81.08(4)(f)1.1. ‘Guidelines for supervised exercise.’ One goal of an exercise program shall be to teach the patient how to maintain and maximize any gains experienced from exercise. Self-management of the condition shall be promoted. All of the following guidelines apply to supervised exercise: DWD 81.08(4)(f)1.a.a. Maximum treatment frequency is 3 times per week for 3 weeks and may decrease with time until the end of the maximum treatment duration period in subd. 1. b. DWD 81.08(4)(f)2.2. ‘Guidelines for unsupervised exercise.’ Unsupervised exercise shall be provided in the least intensive setting appropriate to the goals of the exercise program and may supplement or follow the period of supervised exercise. All of the following guidelines apply to unsupervised exercise: DWD 81.08(4)(f)2.a.a. Maximum treatment frequency is one to 3 visits for instruction and monitoring. DWD 81.08(5)(a)(a) Injection modalities are necessary as set forth in pars. (b) to (d). A health care provider’s use of injections may extend past the 12-week limit on passive treatment modalities, so long as the maximum treatment for injections is not exceeded. DWD 81.08(5)(b)(b) For purposes of this subsection, “therapeutic injections” include trigger points injections, facet joint injections, facet nerve blocks, sympathetic nerve blocks, epidurals, nerve root blocks, and peripheral nerve blocks. Therapeutic injections may only be given in conjunction with active treatment modalities directed to the same anatomical site. DWD 81.08(5)(b)1.1. All of the following guidelines apply to trigger point injections: DWD 81.08(5)(b)1.b.b. Maximum treatment frequency is once per week if there is a positive response to the first injection at that site. If subsequent injections at that site demonstrate diminishing control of symptoms or fail to facilitate objective functional gains, then trigger point injections shall be redirected to other areas or discontinued. Only 3 injections per patient visit. DWD 81.08(5)(b)2.2. All of the following guidelines apply to facet joint injections and facet nerve blocks: DWD 81.08(5)(b)2.b.b. Maximum treatment frequency is once every 2 weeks if there is a positive response to the first injection or block. If subsequent injections or blocks demonstrate diminishing control of symptoms or fail to facilitate objective functional gains, then injections or blocks shall be discontinued. Only 3 injections or blocks per patient visit. DWD 81.08(5)(b)3.b.b. Maximum treatment frequency may permit repeat injection 2 weeks after the previous injection if there is a positive response to the first block. Only 3 injections per patient visit. DWD 81.08(5)(b)4.b.b. Maximum treatment frequency is once every 2 weeks if there is a positive response to the first injection. If subsequent injections demonstrate diminishing control of symptoms or fail to facilitate objective functional gains, then injections shall be discontinued. Only one injection per patient visit. DWD 81.08(5)(c)(c) For purposes of this paragraph, “lytic or sclerosing injections” include radio frequency denervation of the facet joints. These injections may only be given in conjunction with active treatment modalities directed to the same anatomical site. All of the following guidelines apply to lytic or sclerosing injections: DWD 81.08(5)(d)(d) Prolotherapy and botulinum toxin injections are not necessary in the treatment of thoracic back problems. DWD 81.08(6)(b)(b) In order to optimize the beneficial effect of surgery, postoperative therapy with active and passive treatment modalities may be provided, even if these modalities had been used in the preoperative treatment of the condition. In the postoperative period the maximum treatment duration with passive treatment modalities in a clinical setting from the initiation of the first passive modality used, except bedrest or bracing, is as follows: DWD 81.08(6)(b)1.1. Eight weeks following decompression or implantation of a spinal cord stimulator or intrathecal drug delivery system. DWD 81.08(6)(d)(d) The surgical therapies in subds. 1. and 2. have very limited application and require a personality or psychosocial evaluation that indicates the patient is likely to benefit from the treatment. DWD 81.08(6)(d)1.1. Spinal cord stimulator may be necessary for a patient who has neuropathic pain and has had a favorable response to a trial screening period. DWD 81.08(6)(d)2.2. Intrathecal drug delivery system may be necessary for a patient who has somatic or neuropathic pain and has had a favorable response to a trial screening period. DWD 81.08(7)(7) Chronic management. Chronic management of thoracic back pain shall be provided according to the guidelines of s. DWD 81.13. DWD 81.08(8)(a)(a) A health care provider may direct the use of durable medical equipment only in certain specific situations as specified in pars. (b) to (e). DWD 81.08(8)(c)(c) For patients using electrical muscle stimulation or mechanical traction devices at home, the device and any required supplies are necessary within the guidelines of sub. (3) (e) and (f). DWD 81.08(8)(d)(d) Exercise equipment for home use, including bicycles, treadmills, and stairclimbers, are necessary only as part of an approved chronic management program. This equipment is not necessary during initial nonoperative care or during reevaluation and surgical therapy. If the employer has an appropriate exercise facility on its premises with the prescribed equipment, the insurer may mandate the use of that facility instead of authorizing purchase of equipment for home use. DWD 81.08(8)(d)1.1. ‘Indications.’ The patient is deconditioned and requires reconditioning that may be accomplished only with the use of the prescribed exercise equipment. A health care provider shall document specific reasons why the exercise equipment is necessary and may not be replaced with other activities. DWD 81.08(8)(d)2.2. ‘Requirements.’ The use of the equipment shall have specific goals and there shall be a specific set of prescribed activities. DWD 81.08(8)(e)(e) All of the following durable medical equipment is not necessary for home use for thoracic back pain conditions: DWD 81.08(8)(e)1.1. Whirlpools, Jacuzzis, hot tubs, or special bath or shower attachments. DWD 81.08(9)(9) Evaluation of treatment by health care provider. DWD 81.08(9)(a)(a) A health care provider shall evaluate at each visit whether the treatment is medically necessary and shall evaluate whether initial nonsurgical management is effective according to pars. (b) to (e). No later than the time for treatment response established for the specific modality in subs. (3) to (5), a health care provider shall evaluate whether the passive, active, injection, or medication treatment modality is resulting in progressive improvement in pars. (b) to (e). DWD 81.08(9)(b)(b) The patient’s subjective complaints of pain or disability are progressively improving, as evidenced by documentation in the medical record of decreased distribution, frequency, or intensity of symptoms. DWD 81.08(9)(c)(c) The objective clinical findings are progressively improving, as evidenced by documentation in the medical record of resolution or objectively measured improvement in physical signs of injury. DWD 81.08(9)(d)(d) The patient’s functional status, especially vocational activity, is progressively improving, as evidenced by documentation in the medical record or documentation of work ability involving less restrictive limitations on activity. DWD 81.08(9)(e)(e) If there is not progressive improvement in at least 2 categories specified in pars. (b) to (d), the modality shall be discontinued or significantly modified or a health care provider shall reconsider the diagnosis. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment modality may be delegated to another health care provider. DWD 81.08(10)(a)(a) Prescription of controlled substance medications under ch. 450, Stats., including opioids and narcotics, are indicated primarily for the treatment of severe acute pain. These medications are not recommended in the treatment of patients with persistent thoracic back pain. DWD 81.08(10)(b)(b) Patients with radicular pain may require longer periods of treatment. DWD 81.08(10)(c)(c) A health care provider shall document the rationale for the use of any scheduled medication. Treatment with nonnarcotic medication may be appropriate during any phase of treatment and intermittently after all other treatment has been discontinued. The prescribing health care provider shall determine that ongoing medication is effective treatment for the patient’s condition. DWD 81.08(11)(11) Specific treatment guidelines for regional thoracic back pain. DWD 81.08(11)(a)(a) A health care provider shall use initial nonsurgical treatment for the first phase of treatment for all patients with regional thoracic back pain under sub. (1) (b) 1. DWD 81.08(11)(a)1.1. The active, passive, injection, durable medical equipment, and medication treatment modalities and procedures in subs. (3), (4), (5), (8), and (10) may be used in sequence or simultaneously during the period of initial nonsurgical management, depending on the severity of the condition. DWD 81.08(11)(a)2.2. The only therapeutic injections necessary for patients with regional thoracic back pain are trigger point injections, facet joint injections, facet nerve blocks, and epidural blocks, and their use shall meet the guidelines of sub. (5). DWD 81.08(11)(a)3.3. After the first week of treatment, initial nonsurgical management shall at all times contain active treatment modalities according to the guidelines of sub. (4). DWD 81.08(11)(a)4.4. Initial nonsurgical treatment shall be provided in the least intensive setting consistent with quality health care practices. DWD 81.08(11)(a)5.5. Except as provided in sub. (3), passive treatment modalities in a clinic setting or requiring attendance by a health care provider are not necessary beyond 12 weeks after any passive modality other than bedrest or bracing is first initiated. DWD 81.08(11)(b)(b) Surgical evaluation or chronic management is necessary if the patient continues with symptoms and objective physical findings after the course of initial nonsurgical care and if the patient’s condition prevents the resumption of the regular activities of daily life, including regular vocational activities. The purpose of surgical evaluation is to determine whether surgery is necessary in the treatment of a patient who has failed to recover with initial nonsurgical care. If the patient is not a surgical candidate, then chronic management is necessary. DWD 81.08(11)(b)1.1. Surgical evaluation, if necessary, may begin as soon as 8 weeks after, but shall begin no later than 12 weeks after, beginning initial nonsurgical management. An initial recommendation or decision against surgical therapy does not preclude surgery at a later date. DWD 81.08(11)(b)2.2. Surgical evaluation may include the use of appropriate medical imaging techniques. The imaging technique shall be chosen on the basis of the suspected etiology of the patient’s condition, but a health care provider shall follow the guidelines in s. DWD 81.05. Medical imaging studies that do not meet these guidelines are not necessary. DWD 81.08(11)(b)3.3. Surgical evaluation may also include diagnostic blocks and injections. These blocks and injections are only necessary if their use is consistent with the guidelines of sub. (1) (j). DWD 81.08(11)(b)4.4. Surgical evaluation may also include personality or psychosocial evaluation, consistent with the guidelines of sub. (1) (i). DWD 81.08(11)(b)5.5. Consultation with other health care providers may be appropriate as part of the surgical evaluation. The need for consultation and the choice of consultant will be determined by the findings on medical imaging, diagnostic analgesic blocks, and injections, if performed, and the patient’s ongoing subjective complaints and objective physical findings. DWD 81.08(11)(b)6.6. The only surgical procedure necessary for patients with regional thoracic back pain only is thoracic arthrodesis with or without instrumentation, which shall meet the guidelines of sub. (6) and s. DWD 81.12 (1) (d). For patients with failed surgery, spinal cord stimulators or intrathecal drug delivery systems may be necessary consistent with sub. (6) (d). DWD 81.08(11)(b)6.a.a. If surgery is necessary, it shall be offered to the patient as soon as possible. If the patient agrees to the proposed surgery it shall be performed as expeditiously as possible consistent with sound medical practice. DWD 81.08(11)(b)6.b.b. If surgery is not necessary or if the patient does not wish to proceed with surgery, then the patient is a candidate for chronic management. DWD 81.08(11)(c)(c) If the patient continues with symptoms and objective physical findings after surgery has been rendered, or the patient refuses surgery, or the patient was not a candidate for surgery, and if the patient’s condition prevents the resumption of the regular activities of daily life including regular vocational activities, then the patient may be a candidate for chronic management under s. DWD 81.13.
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Department of Workforce Development (DWD)
Chs. DWD 80-81; Worker’s Compensation
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