Orthopaedics (musculoskeletal pain)

Working through the pain until it becomes chronic is the worst outcome.

When to go

• Back or neck pain, especially with numbness running down a leg
• Shoulder pain and difficulty raising the arm
• Knee or ankle pain and swelling
• Wrist or finger numbness and pain from repetitive work
• After a sprain or fall with swelling and pain
• Suspected fracture — deformity, severe pain, inability to bear weight

The process

1. Get an examination and X-ray at an orthopaedic clinic.
2. Ultrasound, CT or MRI may follow. MRI is sometimes non-covered — check the cost first.
3. A treatment plan is set: medication, physiotherapy, injections. See physical-therapy.
4. If there is no improvement, discuss rehabilitation medicine or referral to a larger hospital.
5. If the pain came from your job, check whether it counts as an industrial accident.

If it is work-related

Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive work, heavy lifting or vibrating tools can be recognised as industrial accidents.

• Tell the hospital clearly that it arose at work. It goes on the record.
• Ask 1588-0075 (Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service) about the claim process.
• Even if your employer is reluctant, you can file the claim yourself.

Where to go

• Your local orthopaedic clinic
• 1588-0075 Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour
• 1644-2000 HIRA (non-covered charges)

Questions people ask

Do I really need an MRI? That is the doctor's judgement. Ask about the cost and cover first. An X-ray and examination are often enough.

Can I keep having injections? Some types have limits on frequency. Ask what you are being given and how many times.

I need a certificate to take time off. Request a medical certificate or doctor's note. See sick-note-work.

Korean medicine clinic or orthopaedics? For fractures and serious injury, orthopaedics comes first. For pain management the two are sometimes combined. See traditional-medicine.

Take care

Don't put it off with "a patch and patience will fix it". Numbness spreading down a limb, loss of strength, or bladder and bowel problems need immediate medical attention. If you were hurt at work, go to hospital the same day and get it recorded.

Related

physical-therapy · rehabilitation · workplace-health · industrial-accident · sick-note-work

Source

Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr / As of 2026-08