Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

I fell down stairs at work and now have a tear in L-4 5, Dr for Workers Comp is saying that it could be aging that caused this. Is that true? Can an L4 5 get worse, because I can't even stand in the same spot for more than ten minutes befor having to sit down.

Annular tears are a common, if not universal, consequence of the aging disc so yes the Dr. is correct in saying yours COULD be aging but he didn't finish the sentence.

The issue is not that it COULD but do the facts of your injury make it more likely than not that the fall caused the tear or ( more likely- the tear is now symptomatic since most are not.) ; i.e. possible versus probable. Possible = 49 % Probable = 51 % If probable then you win.

Thanks for the response.

Can the tear get worse?

Can it get worse, or can it be repaired?

yes and no.

But all discs tear ( annular ) rent with age as we shrink and every one has back pain in their life. The good news is symptomatic tears settle down.

But if I never experienced back pain before the fall, injuring my left knee as well as the torn discs the probability of it being the fall instead of age is more probable? (Run on sentence).

That would be a reasonable argument for your Dr. to make. Of course that assumes anyone thinks the tear is symptomatic.

The Fall at work explains both your injuries as long as your treating doctor supports it, and documents it as such.

As for the tear in L4 - L5, can it get better or worse? The answer is yes and no. Only a treating doctor can monitor it and check it with follow ups. Only then will you know those facts.

For now, you should complete your medical treatment, and ask plenty of question with your doctor (s).