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Article: Biomechanics: a new tool in WC claims reduction? (Up Front).
- Article from:
- Risk & Insurance
- Article date:
- June 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Axon Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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It could be a scene straight from Disney design studios. In fact, schematics of employees' bodies in various stages of lifting and twisting belong much more with high-tech computer animation, not with workers' compensation. Yet technology is now available that allows employers to determine with nearly perfect accuracy just how injured an employee is. Biomechanics, using digital computer imaging to measure range of motion and other functions, is being used for both prevention of injuries and determination of an employee's fitness to return to work.
Biomechanics technology uses computer software to measure the compression forces on elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ...