The client was referred to OccHealth by Altius’ Recovery and Wellness Initiative (RAWI) in September 2019. He suffered a right ankle injury on February 25, 2019 following a fall at work, which required surgical intervention. As a result of his injury, the client became job detached and unable to complete normal activities of daily living. He struggled with weight gain and became severely deconditioned as a result of very minimal physical activity.

RAWI Goals / Challenges

• Addressing psychosocial barriers.
• Increasing motivation, confidence and participation in activities of daily living.
• Improving fitness and building a regular physical activity routine.
• When treatment commenced, the client was unable to walk more than a lap of his local oval and was not attending his local gym due to pain and a lack of confidence in what he could perform. He reported difficulties in performing household duties and playing with his 5 year old daughter. Additionally, the client had a strong desire to return to work within the construction industry but lacked confidence in his ability to perform the tasks of his previous role.

The RAWI Program

RAWI provided support and encouragement to assist with motivation and gradually increasing activity levels. Sessions were supervised within his local gym to increase social engagement, where suitable equipment and exercises were identified to not only rehabilitate the client’s ankle but improve wholistic strength and conditioning. Additionally, exercises targeting weight loss and supporting the client’s goal of ultimately returning to running were also included.

Education was provided around the importance of regular activity and improving functional strength and fitness to facilitate return to work within the construction industry. Strategies around pacing were discussed and implemented to facilitate a graded and sustainable recommencement of domestic tasks. The RAWI was established to assist with improving strength and promoting the development of routine, for which the client was regularly supported to ensure consistency and program compliance.

RAWI – Results:

• Work capacity was upgraded from reduced hours (6 hours per day, 3 days per week initially) to normal full time hours each day, normal hours per week on pre-injury duties, as a result of his participation in RAWI.
• The client has secured employment and returned to work as a concreter and foreman in a contractor role for a construction company.
• PSEQ Self-Efficacy scores increased from 25 indicating low confidence to 35 indicating moderate confidence in performing work and daily living tasks despite present pain.
• The client has improved his running tolerance and is now able to run 6 laps around his local oval, which he reports performing daily.
• The client lost 5kg over the course of a month as a result of engaging in the RAWI. He recently enjoyed a beach holiday with his family and happily reported being able to play on the sand and in the surf with his daughter.

Our purpose is to enable people to realise their health potential. We’re proud to bring this example of our purpose in action and to share the real tangible impact of our work each day on people, organisations and communities.

For further information on the RAWI program.