Workers' Compensation Discussion Forums

Hello,

My claim is in Nevada. I am new here so I thought I'd introduce myself and share my story as I'm sure I will have questions throughout this process.

About 8 months ago I injured my shoulder at work. I went to their workers comp clinic and the first doc said it was a rotator cuff strain, second doc at next appt. said AC strain and then a third said arthritis. Was I ever confused! Went to PT 3x week for 2 weeks and felt worse each time. The docs at the clinic continued to push injections which I refused since none of them could tell me what was wrong with my shoulder...go figure! Finally I insisted on an MRI which they said was normal aside from a slight fraying of rotator cuff. I was still not convinced so I requested the IC send me for a second opinion.

Went to Ortho who ordered an Arthrogram MRI and SURPRISE, 70% tear of rotator cuff, Slap tear, bicep tear and some spurs! I had to stop any treatment due to gallbladder surgery and two hospital stays after that. Now I am back on track with the shoulder and have scheduled surgery in May. I am terrified that my having to put things off have made things worse. My elbow and neck are killing me now and I don't know if it is related. I'm afraid to say anything because I don't want the IC to cancel my authorization for the shoulder surgery.

Has anyone had this type of surgery and if so can you give me an idea of what to expect? I'm a very active person and just want this fixed so I can move on. From reading posts here, it sounds like it can be a long road before that happens.

Sorry so long, I'm very happy to have found this site, there is no one to talk to about all of this at work. I am afraid I may lose my job after the surgery if I can't get back within the 9 weeks of FMLA I have left.

Thanks for listening and I wish you all the best...

see post above yours, I goofed. Answer is for you. Bernie

Thanks for the response Bernie. How long was the recovery time for your shoulder? I've heard 2 weeks to 6 months...quite a range! Getting answers from the doc is like pulling teeth. Thanks again.

Hi NV Worker.....I am also a shoulder person....3 inch rotator cuff tear and a bunch of other mess....I spent a year in PT and injections before surgery was done.....It made my shoulder worse.....2 years down the road I am in constant pain and my tea cup is hard to pick up. I was told 6 months but no. I have had an MRI done since and there is more damage since the surgery.Now my right shoulder feels worse than my left due to overuse. I also injured my neck at the same time so can't really be sure where your pain is coming from....I very rarely have neck pain but have shoulder pain constantly....can they all be related (shoulder, elbow, neck) yes. You could be scrunching your neck to accomodate the pain in your arm. Best of luck.

Hi & Welcome NV worker!

I'm so sorry about the shoulder injury. I too, am a shoulder person. I did not have the procedure you need (I had an anterior stabilization surgery 1st time around)

The shoulder surgery results can vary greatly. I believe men seem to have better luck w/ recovery time that women. Expect lots of PT afterwards, and do you home excersises faithfully. I am like Cap....PT and their slow response of treatment to a supposed strain, did more harm than good. At least you have been given an MRI....so I feel you're one step ahead of us in the shoulder game.

Shoulders are slow to heal (it's a complicated joint) and I hope you have good luck with your's. You may do just fine. I don't think anyone can put a time limit on how you heal, there are so many mixed results....so just do as your told, and use a very good surgeon.
Good Luck to you! Lilly

I have seen people come out fine with this surgery, and have seen have pain long after this surgery. It's a major coin flip as how anyone will come out. I do know the pain is real bad. But, it is said surgery is the only answer to this type of problem. So, you take your chances, and work PT like there is no tomorrow, and keep up a good spirit that all will go well, and it mostly does.

Thanks to all :-) It's nice knowing that there is someplace to come and ask questions or just vent. I'm glad u r all here but very sorry for all u have gone through. I guess the best I can do is take this one day at a time and, as Bad Boy said, "work like there is no tomorrow"!

I'm sure I will have questions along the way, so u will be stuck with me LOL.

I do have one question...(see told ya so ;-)) I am still working and have had no lost time from my injury. The doc has me working with no restrictions saying that the employer will be more apt to work with my restrictions upon my return. I do my best to avoid lifting but it is impossible to avoid 100%. I work at a home improvement warehouse and my dept. has the heaviest items in the store (to be honest, even the small items have become a problem). With the increased pain and difficulty that I am experiencing, is it reasonable to ask him to either place restrictions for me or to take me off work until the surgery? I don't want him to think I just want the easy way out but I can't keep going like this. I barely make it through my day and when I do get off, the rest of my night is ice and heat rotation till I fall asleep...if I'm lucky.

Have a good night

(I barely make it through my day and when I do get off, the rest of my night is ice and heat rotation till I fall asleep...if I'm lucky).

Okay, I too understand what your saying. The thing is, will work make the injury site worse is the question?

Then, even after surgery, as you said what you must do after work now, is what your going to be doing after surgery and PT. Same thing.

Until the surgery, you wont know if you become better, the same, or worse. You must wait till then. meaning again 1 day at a time. You have to stay very positive on this. That is and will be your best medicine for you yourself. As no pill can give you that. You will have to really trust your doctor and surgeon. And follow what they outline for you to the tee. And you need to be as patient as you can, pray that in time you will be better, while staying very positive you will.

I believe that the more I worked the more damage I did. Talk to your Dr. as Badboy suggested.....we are all different.....Lilly is right about the male/female thingy. I worked with men who had the surgery and made full recoveries.....don't know one woman who has.

Hi again, In my humble opinion, working with a rotator cuff tear
is not a sound idea, ie insane! The more movement, the harder on the soft tissue. Also any weight could be picked up by the bicep, and that could tear. Make sure that ortho is making these calls and not your PCP. If he is doing the surgery, he will want as little damage as possible. My surgery was 10months after injury, the damage was extensive and after 1yr(2007) it ripped out all over again. I was picked up by SSD in 2009. Jobs come and go(a lot of going lately)
but pain will hound you forever. Speak to the surgeon, get a game play in writing, and BE CAREFUL. Bernie