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+--- Thread: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue (/showthread.php?tid=6347)
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 02-18-2009 08:08 PM
New Update:
So today I went to the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Hand Dr and was
there about an 1 1/2hrs. My 1st surprise at the Dr was once
I had x-rays done and was sitting in my room,This strange man
that I didn't know came to me and said he had been sent
by the AIG adjuster to find out the results of my Dr's
appoinment.
I was shocked because this was the 1st time I
had encountered this. So anyway,this guy waited out in the
hall until I was finished with my appointment and then followed
me back to the registration desk saying he needed copies of everything to send to the AIG adjuster.
So, I had my appointment with the Dr and he checked me out
pretty good taking measurements of my hands etc. I told him
that I really needed to find out what this problem is and so on.
I mentioned several thingsto him to see what he thought. I
asked him
"Cubital Tunnel Syndrome"
"Medial Epicondylitis"
"RSD/CRPS"
Out of all these things,he said my symptoms are leaning more
towards the "Medial Epicondylitis" because he doesn't think
my symptoms coincide with the other things. So that Dr left
the room to read the x-rays and then a few minutes later,Another
Dr came in and said he wanted me to have an MRI done so we
can rule things out etc. Then he proceded to tell me,that if Im
filing/filed WComp that I should be careful because he thought
I would probably get fired if I continued and if I should have to ever
have surgery etc. I told him,I know this is work related unless
they can prove otherwise by all these tests. He was going on
and on about the economy and filing WComp.
Now I have to wait to be scheduled for the MRI and I really hope
it shows something or the lack of. He mentioned something
about Tendonitis but as I told the Dr my hnd was fine
until I started using that stupid staple removal tool.
This is all of my update for now. Sorry its soo long & thanks
for the help!!
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Cycler - 02-19-2009 09:17 AM
Tizz,
Your mechanism of injury is consistent with a primary medial epicondylitis due to RSI. The initial inflammatory injury is due to repetitve stress then tearing of the musculotendinous unit which then fails to heal becasue of repetitive insult. THis lead to a chronic condition called a tendinosis UNfortunately about 50% of these injuries will also involve a neuropraxia of the ulnar nerve due to pressure on the nerve from the tendinosis and will begin to experience pain, numbness and swelling to the lateral hand strength loss.
Treatment is conservative initially using hand on treatment by an OT such as cross friction massage, ice, and ulnar glide work. Steroid injection may follow or accompany OT while Surgery with transposition of the nerve out from under the scar tissue is the last resort and has significant risks.
Good Luck
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 02-19-2009 10:25 AM
The doctor/surgeon is only guessing at this point and time, and is only stating that for now, because they don't have a clue as of yet.
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - sparkey - 02-19-2009 01:43 PM
Tizz,
Something is going on and I cannot seem to figure this all out. First off your job is repetition and using your hands all day it seems. Who ever told you that it is NOT work related is full of &^!!. If I were you I would get myself a consultation with a lawyer ( WC ) because you should not be getting the run around from all these people. You are getting test done which is good but for a doctor to come out and tell you that you will be fired for fileing workers comp. is very unprofessional of him to start telling you this stuff. It is NOT true. Sounds to me like this doctor is working for WC and discourageing you in claiming it.
What you really should have is REST to that hand. I had the same problem working in the lab as I had restrictions and people kept giving me stuff to do that required using my hands. I was took out of the lab for my light duty for that reason. Go to a lawyer or call one as you should already be accepted as a wc injury and put on light duty or out for rest. You may also need to have PT. Who was this person that walked into the doctors office to get your information?? Was it a NCM ( Nurse case manager) that the IC assigned to you??? This whole thing sounds awfully fishy to me and I have no idea why you are getting such a run around for something that IS work related.
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 02-19-2009 08:38 PM
Sparkey,
The AIG Insurance adjuster keeps telling me that there is NO "Causation" and that it is NOT work related. But she is
still allowing me to seek treatment that my job is paying for.
Now with the MRI, I know those are expensive tests so we
will see if that gets approved. The Dr yesterday even said himself
that we need to find out whats going on with my hand. He seems
to think its only Tendonitis because of me also having pain
in my elbow.
Well my question is this.... I never ever had Tendonitis or
problems with my hands before August,But only after being
at my current job is when I started having problems. I know
it is work related and NO one can convince me otherwise!!
The man that showed up at my appointment according to his
card is a Field Case Manager which I have NO idea what that is
or why he was even sent.He's with a company called Coventry.
I thought he was going to push his way into the room with
me and be in there with me and the Dr's.I was getting ready
to tell him "NO way NO how are you gonna be in the Dr
office with me" LOL. I did hear him talking to the Dr out in the
hall when they came back from looking at the X-rays and they were
asking him who he was and if he knew me etc so maybe they told
him he couldn't come in the room with me.
So when I get to work today,I went to HR and told them
about this guy showing up and she then tells me "Oh I thought
I had told you he would be there" I said NO I had NO idea .She
said he was there to make sure eveything was legite.....Go
figure!!
This Dr told me I couldn't lift more then 2ilbs but Im still on
restrictions by th 1st Dr I saw with NO use of my right hand
whatsoever....Easier said then done when NO one wants to
take up any slack and *****edited by admin***** has to get done regardless.
My story is becoming a damn book!!!
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 03-01-2009 04:17 PM
Hey There....
Well I got FIRED from my job on Friday 2/27/09 because of
being absent too many days according to them. I have a sick
81 yr old mother suffering from heart problems who has
been in and out of the hospital lately so im guessing this is
the reason I got fired!!!
Ive applied for Unemployment benefits but not sure if they
will keep me from getting it. Im still waiting for them to send
me to have an MRI done on my hand and I was told they are
in the pre-cert right now. Shouldn't be long before I know when
to have it.
I honestly don't know if they were just tired of me missing
work for Dr appointments on the WC or what.My nephew
told me to consult an attorney just in case,I just dont know
what to do now and hope I can find another job fast before
it gets too hard on my hubby because I don't want to lose
anything. Anyway,I just thought I'd leave another update.
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 03-02-2009 01:06 PM
Here's another small update!!!
I received a certified letter from the AIG Adjuster
stating that my claim has been "Accepted" I couldn't
believe it!!!
So now I am asking,What is my next step and what happens
now. Also,since I lost my job how will this effect me getting
unemployment or will I get something from WC???
Would appreciate any help you can offer!!!
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 03-03-2009 07:30 PM
I amd scheduled to have my MRI on my
hand on Monday but the AIG adjuster wouldn't approve
for it to also be done on my Elbow and im not sure why.
She said if I am able to get WC checks I will have to
wait a total of 14 days.What qualifies a person to get
WC checks?? I have no idea how this part of it works.
I have also filed for Unemployment but will not
know if its been approved for a week or so.
Any help would be appreciated!!!
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Cycler - 03-03-2009 08:18 PM
Why would you need an MRi of the hand ? Carpal AND cubital is only diagnosed via an NCV. MRI IS very sensitive for epicondylitis which is what you said your Dr. was primarily concerend with in the first place. Does your adjuster have ay clue at all to what she is doing ? So what if the MRI is negative ? THat would only mean you do not have a tumor or infection but can't speak to nerve injury at all - wrong test.
RE: Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue - Tizz - 03-03-2009 09:21 PM
Cycler I have been told by the Hand Dr that he doesn't
think that it is Carpal Tunnel or any of the other things
I had mentioned to them.They seems to think its Tendonitis
related. The Ortho Hand Dr is the 1 that ordered the MRI
and he said that would tell them what is going on in my hand.
What is an NCV??? I have already had 1 EMG done which
came back as Negative.
It has taken this long for my claim to get approved but the odd
part to me is that it was accepted on 2/26/09 and I was
Terminated from my job the very next day 2/27/09.
Im hoping I will be able to get WC checks going soon.
Im not a Dr so I have no clue what tests I need to be having
done and im doing as the Dr's are telling me.