07-18-2008, 01:46 AM
07-18-2008, 02:46 AM
I also agree that you should just go by what your doctor is saying about your restrictions. With carpal tunnel you need to REST your hand. If you go asking a doctor to put you back to work with less of a restriction, it sounds like you do not have much pain/injury that prevents you from working. Of course you need to be honest, but like BB said, you need to relax and take this time to heal.
When I went back on light duty with a 10 lb restriction, it was VERY VERY Difficult to go to work in pain. They had me doing fileing which takes 2 hands. They thought it was easier on me when in fact it caused more problems with my shoulder. So now I have shoulder problems on top of my hand problems. Just relax, go for your IME. You asked what you should say at your IME? There is nothing to give you for that answer except be honest in answering what your asked.
There is no preparing for that. You just need to tell exactly how your pain is, how it happened, when etc. whenever the doctor asks you. That should be fairly simple to explain your problems. Remember to be polite, honest and do not let them get to you. They are working for the IC. More than likely they are on the IC's side. Arrive early enough to be there on time. It is nothing to get worked up about.
When I went back on light duty with a 10 lb restriction, it was VERY VERY Difficult to go to work in pain. They had me doing fileing which takes 2 hands. They thought it was easier on me when in fact it caused more problems with my shoulder. So now I have shoulder problems on top of my hand problems. Just relax, go for your IME. You asked what you should say at your IME? There is nothing to give you for that answer except be honest in answering what your asked.
There is no preparing for that. You just need to tell exactly how your pain is, how it happened, when etc. whenever the doctor asks you. That should be fairly simple to explain your problems. Remember to be polite, honest and do not let them get to you. They are working for the IC. More than likely they are on the IC's side. Arrive early enough to be there on time. It is nothing to get worked up about.
07-18-2008, 01:52 PM
Yesterday was one of my "good days" with my hands...today on the other hand...lol....they are on fire. Oh well....went out and got more Advil. Am trying to keep my mind occupied and off of my hands. I got the letter in the mail today for the IME. Called my lawyer...asked if I could take my mom with me...she said she didn't see a problem with it but I think I'll do alright by myself. IME is on 7/30/08 at 9 a.m. and I am so ready for this to be over...I'm taking my neice out to dinner for her birthday and then to the movies to see Mama Mia. I'll be glad to get out of the house for awhile. Also, the IC called to let me know about the continuance of my hearing. As soon as they get another date they will let me know. So now I guess I sit back and wait some more....sigh
07-18-2008, 05:32 PM
It is best to take someone with you so that after you dont forget things
07-18-2008, 06:19 PM
and you have a witness
07-21-2009, 01:34 AM
Carpel tunnel is usually caused by repetative movement. What do you do for a living ? Does it involve repatative movement ? It is important to take breaks from a task performed constantly . One example is people who work on computers all day . It can cause horrible eye strain . People need to take their eyes off computer and there are exercises they can do to strenghen eyes , but most important is take your eyes off screen I understand the surgical procedure has come a long way , Depending on your state a predisposed injury or injuring a area of body is supposed to be covered .Good luck
07-21-2009, 10:29 AM
re: "Carpel tunnel is usually caused by repetative movement. What do you do for a living ?" is an opinion but not a fact even if stated as such.
Actually CTS is not USUALLY caused by repetitive movement. The greatest risk factor is being female and the second is being overweight. Third is medical causes. Repetitive use, such as assembly line work and frequent grasping etc, is about 4th or 5th on the risk factor scale.
You might be interested to know, since you mention computers, that keying/typing has no significant association with CTS, again despite common assumption to the contrary. The original poster did explain the hand intensive nature of her job and effect on a previous CTS surgery.
Actually CTS is not USUALLY caused by repetitive movement. The greatest risk factor is being female and the second is being overweight. Third is medical causes. Repetitive use, such as assembly line work and frequent grasping etc, is about 4th or 5th on the risk factor scale.
You might be interested to know, since you mention computers, that keying/typing has no significant association with CTS, again despite common assumption to the contrary. The original poster did explain the hand intensive nature of her job and effect on a previous CTS surgery.
07-26-2009, 07:33 PM
In the Spring of 2007 Ohio WC laws changed somewhat on pre-existing conditions.
They could be claiming that it is pre-existing and wiggle out under SB7.
O.R.C. 4123.01©(4) and 4123.54(G):
requires a claimant to prove that the
industrial injury substantially aggravated
any pre-existing conditions. A substantial
aggravation must be documented by
objective clinical findings. Subjective
complaints may be evidence of a
substantial aggravation, but are insufficient
without objective diagnostic findings,
objective clinical findings or objective test
results. If a pre-existing condition is
substantially aggravated but then returns
to a level that would have existed without
the injury, no further compensation or
benefits are payable.
They could be claiming that it is pre-existing and wiggle out under SB7.
O.R.C. 4123.01©(4) and 4123.54(G):
requires a claimant to prove that the
industrial injury substantially aggravated
any pre-existing conditions. A substantial
aggravation must be documented by
objective clinical findings. Subjective
complaints may be evidence of a
substantial aggravation, but are insufficient
without objective diagnostic findings,
objective clinical findings or objective test
results. If a pre-existing condition is
substantially aggravated but then returns
to a level that would have existed without
the injury, no further compensation or
benefits are payable.
07-27-2009, 09:01 AM