Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

I guess I have an advantage, a medical background and I tend to be very aggressive when it comes to care. I'm also not afraid to argue with any doctor (it saved my oldest son's life when he was 18 months old).
I had a simple meniscus tear, medially, left knee. I must of been dozing (I was awake during surgery, spinal) otherwise I would of noticed that the doctor did a one portal arthroscopy in my left knee. (He hadn't done an MRI, trust his instincts on my having a tear) didn't find anything, how can you when you only look around, 3 ports are the standard, occasionally 4. Working port, light & camera port, fluid port, occasionally a 4th for working.
When I took off the bandages 3 days post-op and my knee hurt just as bad as it did before I knew something was wrong. I saw him 4 days after that, he'd also given me a corticone shot, that helped for a couple of days, then it was gone. Nine days post-op he sent me back to work with no restrictions. My knee buckled about 6" with each step, 6 days later the incision opened up and started draining synovial fluid. He had me do 4 apts of PT, then released me. Then the synovial fluid turned brown, started running low grade fevers. The last day I saw that idiot doctor he told me that he didn't know why my knee buckled, why I was running a fever and told me I didn't have a synovial fistula. So I went back to work, to HR and literally ripped them. When I was done I took the bandage off my knee and let the fluid run down my leg (it usually drained about 10cc of fluid a day). That was actually cool since the head of HR ran out to puke her guts out. I got into see a new doctor in 48 hours, had an MRI the next morning
The tear was huge, the fistula went down 2 inches. My original doc retired rather quickly (my new doc was in the same practice). He tried really hard to fix my knee, then I underwent 2 months of PT, desk work only. But within a year I had 25% tibial bone loss on the medial side. So we tried fluid injections, unloader brace, cortiscone shot, etc.
27 months after the original injury I lost my job, I had fallen at home, FMLA then general medical leave. I've now had 3 arthroscopies, the last one left me unable to straighten my left knee for over 2 months. So I walk with a cane, now my left hip bother's me sometimes. I can't get into see my work comp doctor, respondent won't approve it, even with a court order.
Sad thing, I'm the educated one, medical background, understand the system a bit. I've had a lawyer for 3+ years, getting ready to get rid of him.
Don't ever second guess an injury, I had a simple one, that should of been a simple fix. My husband had a spiral fracture of his left lower leg at work. A major, major fix, his care, treatment, results were picture perfect. Difference of night and day. I guess part of the difference was that he didn't work for a major hospital chain. I got to choose his doctor plus the physical therapy office he went to.
At 51 I need a unicompartmental mis-knee replacement. Three doctors say yes but the only one that counts is the work comp doctor.
The TTD has stopped thanks to that individual, he wasn't my choice for a doctor. I have wonderful medical insurance but can't use it.
If you think the work comp system is bad just wait until our President gives us his new system.
Take care, keep fighting,
Joan

ahhhhhhhhhh body builder you can get in alot of trouble on here if you dont agree with every breath Nobama takes.....
so sorry your injury was made worse by the system...mine was also but I had a bulldog of an lawyer and he done right by me....several on here Bad boy and bummerknees have had knee replacements so they will be the ones to help you most...good luck

I think what you are going through would be a plus for a public option for health insurance. Is the WC insurance provided by the state government in your state? If it isn't, then aren't the people who have screwed with your life a private insurance company?

In most cases it is private insurance companies and private businesses that have corrupted the WC system. In most states the Chamber of Commerce and the insurance industry lobby have spent a lot of money to get WC laws to favor them. What is happening to you tells me that the private insurance industry has way to much influence and is corrupting a system that was meant to help injured workers and to protect the business from being sued out of business.

I don't want any government or state ran insurance. My private insurance is great, I needed surgery on my other knee, had it done in 8 days, no problem. I waited 13 months for approval under work comp. Now my hip bothers me, can't remember the last time I walked without a limp. Where the screw up is where my own insurance doesn't have to pay for treatment if work comp denies me.

My husband's family is under socialized medicine, my mother-in-law waited nearly 10 years for an aortic valve replacement at age 61. My dad got a mitral valve replacement at age 80. He was on the table within 2 days after the diagnosis once stabled. I think under government ran health care he would of died for delays or just because he's in his 80'.

Bodybuilder is from Kansas and from my area of the woods.

My sister & I meet with her over hot chocolate last week.

I connected her with my attorney, I do hope he can help her.

The Chanber of Commerce has very much done a job on the work comp laws in our state. Injured workers receive the lowest amount of pay in the nation re work comp.

WTG Bummer reaching out to help... welcome Bodybuilder to our forum its great

I also would like to welcome you, It's the best place on the net.......