carpel tunnel questions

[tinar67]

Hi, I'm new here. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or info for me about what I am going through. I live in Indiana.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both my hands last spring. I finally had surgery on left in Oct. and the right one end of Dec. I just got told last week I could go to work conditioning because I still am complaining about my pain so I agreed. I start that next week. My doctor has written in my chart that I am at MMI and I have a 0% impairment on both hands. My right one is still swollen from the recovery of surgery but he just said that that was normal and was going to send me back to work. Anyway now I am going to do the work conditioning thing and then get my PPI rating test thing done. I have no permanent numbness, never did, but I have pain almost all day long still in my hands, arms ache sometimes and they still fall asleep sometimes.
My question is---can they just give you a 0% rating after surgery? My hands aren't and will never be the same again. My dr told me my left hand was 100% back to normal but I still struggle just opening up my mountian dew bottle!!
Sorry to go on so long, just mad as h*** and feel helpless. I have been in pain now for 15 months and see no hope.

[jayne]

do you have a lawyer> if not get one

[jdx4]

I know this is completely off the subject but I thought I'd toss it in just in case it's helpful to anyone else with CT. My CT was caused by my first pregnancy. Yeah, I did know, weird but it has something to do with the swelling. Anyway it was so bad that I couldn't hold utensils to eat. My RN mom found a set of utensils for me that had big rubber grips. They helped so much and kept me from crying through my dinner. I wasn't sure if this is something widely known for people with CT so I thought I'd share. I think it's marketed more for older people and arthritis sufferers'. You can find them in medical supply stores. Good luck to you!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Indiana is a State that has Caps on injuries. Meaning such injuries are allowed a certain dollar amount only as they are medically rated.

Also read;
http://www.in.gov/workcomp/attorneys/han...rLostWages

[deanna23]

tinar67 Wrote:Hi, I'm new here. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or info for me about what I am going through. I live in Indiana.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both my hands last spring. I finally had surgery on left in Oct. and the right one end of Dec. I just got told last week I could go to work conditioning because I still am complaining about my pain so I agreed. I start that next week. My doctor has written in my chart that I am at MMI and I have a 0% impairment on both hands. My right one is still swollen from the recovery of surgery but he just said that that was normal and was going to send me back to work. Anyway now I am going to do the work conditioning thing and then get my PPI rating test thing done. I have no permanent numbness, never did, but I have pain almost all day long still in my hands, arms ache sometimes and they still fall asleep sometimes.
My question is---can they just give you a 0% rating after surgery? My hands aren't and will never be the same again. My dr told me my left hand was 100% back to normal but I still struggle just opening up my mountian dew bottle!!
Sorry to go on so long, just mad as h*** and feel helpless. I have been in pain now for 15 months and see no hope.

Wow i cant believe the docter would send you back to work so early.
Can you even use your hands?I dont think thats right.
And this was your own docter sending you back to work?
Maby you should get a laywer like jayne said.
Good luck to you,and please keep us informed. Linda

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I've seen surgeons send people back to work 2 weeks after CT surgeries. It's said it helps them get back in the swing of things. I know I was in pain and all for up to 1 year after my surgery on mine. Then one day, I woke up, and the pain was gone.

[lil_conner23]

tinar67 ..I don't have carpal tunnel, but I have a lot of problems with my right wrist. In the past year I've had a bone taken out and now they're talking about doing surgery on my ulnar nerve. I know how it feels to have pain in your hands all day long, especially at night. I don't know if the way you sleep effects your hand in any way, but mine surely does. I'm actually in a brace 24/7, only taking it off when I shower. I wanted to suggest this brace, if you happen to wear one. It's made just for women and has memory foam inside that comforts your wrist a lot more than something the doctor gives. It's made by Wellgate

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GHG...d_i=507846

[tinar67]

deanna23 Wrote:

tinar67 Wrote:Hi, I'm new here. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or info for me about what I am going through. I live in Indiana.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both my hands last spring. I finally had surgery on left in Oct. and the right one end of Dec. I just got told last week I could go to work conditioning because I still am complaining about my pain so I agreed. I start that next week. My doctor has written in my chart that I am at MMI and I have a 0% impairment on both hands. My right one is still swollen from the recovery of surgery but he just said that that was normal and was going to send me back to work. Anyway now I am going to do the work conditioning thing and then get my PPI rating test thing done. I have no permanent numbness, never did, but I have pain almost all day long still in my hands, arms ache sometimes and they still fall asleep sometimes.
My question is---can they just give you a 0% rating after surgery? My hands aren't and will never be the same again. My dr told me my left hand was 100% back to normal but I still struggle just opening up my mountian dew bottle!!
Sorry to go on so long, just mad as h*** and feel helpless. I have been in pain now for 15 months and see no hope.

Wow i cant believe the docter would send you back to work so early.
Can you even use your hands?I dont think thats right.
And this was your own docter sending you back to work?
Maby you should get a laywer like jayne said.
Good luck to you,and please keep us informed. Linda

Its the WC doc who has been treating me. Hes a real great doc, my chart is full is things hes wrote that I didnt even say and problems he didn't didn't even mention that I've complained about.
I've called around about a lawyer and they don't seem too interested in a carpel tunnel case. I do have a free consultation Thursday though, so we'll see.

[tinar67]

lil_conner23 Wrote:tinar67 ..I don't have carpal tunnel, but I have a lot of problems with my right wrist. In the past year I've had a bone taken out and now they're talking about doing surgery on my ulnar nerve. I know how it feels to have pain in your hands all day long, especially at night. I don't know if the way you sleep effects your hand in any way, but mine surely does. I'm actually in a brace 24/7, only taking it off when I shower. I wanted to suggest this brace, if you happen to wear one. It's made just for women and has memory foam inside that comforts your wrist a lot more than something the doctor gives. It's made by Wellgate

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GHG...d_i=507846

Thanks, I will check it out. I have the carpel tunnel braces but they don't help except for the falling asleep at night part. Nights are the worst though. Your all relaxed and trying to fall asleep but your arms and hands ache so bad you cant get comfy. Its a good thing I sleep alone right now I guess!! cause all my moving and tossing around trying to get situated would surely drive someone nuts!

[Confusedd]

tinar67 Wrote:Hi, I'm new here. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or info for me about what I am going through. I live in Indiana.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both my hands last spring. I finally had surgery on left in Oct. and the right one end of Dec. I just got told last week I could go to work conditioning because I still am complaining about my pain so I agreed. I start that next week. My doctor has written in my chart that I am at MMI and I have a 0% impairment on both hands. My right one is still swollen from the recovery of surgery but he just said that that was normal and was going to send me back to work. Anyway now I am going to do the work conditioning thing and then get my PPI rating test thing done. I have no permanent numbness, never did, but I have pain almost all day long still in my hands, arms ache sometimes and they still fall asleep sometimes.
My question is---can they just give you a 0% rating after surgery? My hands aren't and will never be the same again. My dr told me my left hand was 100% back to normal but I still struggle just opening up my mountian dew bottle!!
Sorry to go on so long, just mad as h*** and feel helpless. I have been in pain now for 15 months and see no hope.

Hi,
I to have had both hands done also, i did not know it at the time but the Dr. that did my surgery was one of the many who worked for the insurance companies.

After surgery I also had allot of problems, infact, i had more after the surgery than before the surgery.

This Dr. also returned me to work with No Restrictions, he did not give me the impairment rating. I have a Attorney and a AME (agreed medical examiner) he would be the one giving me my rating.

The Dr. that did the surgery, had to ask for another EMG test because of all the problems i was still complaining about.

Turns, out My Carpal Tunnel is still there along with many other upper extremitites, issues, a total of 8 more surgries if i choose to do them.

Now, after a W/C Judge Rated the report I now have a 38% Disability rating, Keep in mind the Dr. who did the surgery said there was nothing wrong with me.

I strongly advise you to get an attorney if you don't already have one.

Good Luck!
Confusedd.