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darrinb · 04-18-2012, 09:03 PM

Some of you may know my story already so I'll try to keep it simple. I had a fell from a ladder about 2 story up in 2008 which I injured my back. Herniated disk at L4-L5 and bulge at L5-S1. NJ statue allow you to reopen your case within 2 years.

I tried to reopen & IC stalled for about 1 1/2 yr. they finally reopen my case in Dec 2011. I had 3 epidural (in which I paid for while they was stalling), several round of PT and medication and nothing works. IC sent me to a spine specialist who recommended surgery{spinal fusion L4-L5}. I have spoken to my personal doctor who is an orthopedist and he told me it seems that nothing else is working so that may be correct.

IC sent me to get a second opinion today (4/18). This doctor told me that he do see where I may be having discomfort on the MRI but his recommendation is I should not get the surgery. I asked about doing a test the will simulate my work environment (sorry forgot the name). He told me no that I should just go back to work & see how I do.

I explain to him that I am 100% sure that with out surgery I will not be able to return to my current position. Of cause he asked how do I know. I told him not only did my personal doctor but also the other WC doctor told me that. But mainly because just walking 1 block or cutting my grass hurts my back to the point I have to stop & can not do much more for the rest of the day & some time a couple of days. So there is no way the I can go back to climbing poles and carrying ladders. His remark was that I should try or I may find myself on the unemployment line.

My attorney will try to get me back into the first DR. So my question should I still seek getting a surgery or not? If WC don't approve it should I go thru my insurance?

1171 · (This post was last modified: 04-18-2012 09:32 PM by 1171.)

my 2cents:

i don't think you'll recover enough function even with a "successful" surgery to return to your usual job duties.
I think you need to see about another line of work and then decide how a possible surgery will affect your future earning potential.

is the risk of a failed surgery that destroys any meaningful future employment higher then the chance you'll return to your job with minimal loss of income?

a surgeon who doesn't want to do surgery should be given careful consideration.

there are vocational specialists who can be helpful in re-directing your skills to
different market.

jayc123 · 04-19-2012, 06:03 AM

A couple questions, have you been back to work since 2008? Did you reinjure it in 2011? Or did your symptoms start again gradually? Did you decline surgery in 2008? What did the docs say in 2008? Did PT help or make it worse?If its been the same injury since then he may be saying dont have surgery because the pain may now be irreversible because its been pushing on the nerve for too long. I know what you mean about cutting the grass,it ruins me every time. 1171 is right about a doc NOT recommending surgery. Sadly i wish mine did so i wouldn't have to make the decision. But i dont think he should tell you to go back to climbing and lifting before he does some tests. Did you mean a discogram as a test. Good luck[/php]

jeepstang · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2012 03:51 PM by jeepstang.)

Have you ever had a ekg to see the nerve functions? Also what type of meds do they have you on and what type of therapy? I would ask them about work therapy as well, they have work therapy that like yo stated simulates your work, if you cannot do that therapy you cannot do the job, I went to one that had all types of therapies for all type of work, ask about it, if you go to work and hurt yourself further does the Dr take the fall or you? I would also ask the Dr who refused the surgery to see what he meant, if a DR says its not a surgical candidate thats one thing , but if he balks at it for other reasons a 3 option may be best.

darrinb · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2012 08:21 PM by darrinb.)

(04-19-2012 06:03 AM)jayc123 Wrote: A couple questions, have you been back to work since 2008? Did you reinjure it in 2011? Or did your symptoms start again gradually? Did you decline surgery in 2008? What did the docs say in 2008? Did PT help or make it worse?If its been the same injury since then he may be saying dont have surgery because the pain may now be irreversible because its been pushing on the nerve for too long. I know what you mean about cutting the grass,it ruins me every time. 1171 is right about a doc NOT recommending surgery. Sadly i wish mine did so i wouldn't have to make the decision. But i dont think he should tell you to go back to climbing and lifting before he does some tests. Did you mean a discogram as a test. Good luck[/php]

I did go back to work since 2008. The injury happen 1/2008 I was out of work for about 2 month then back on lite duty for several months then back to full duty around 10/2008. May case was settle 6/2009. About 12/2009 the pain gradually came back. I then requested to see the doctor again and ever since then the was stall & never return my call or my attorney calls. They never recommended surgery in 2008.

After my calls to return to the doctor fell on death ears I went to my personal doctor around 7/2011 & was being treated by him until he took my out of work on 12/4/2011. The next day the IC called & told me that the statue ran out on my claim. It took my attorney to call them, then they reopen it on 12/05/12.

At this time the pain got to the point where if I walk for long period of time it bother me. The IC sent me to PT then it got worst. The PT people told me not to renew my RX.

It an occupational test where they simulate your work environment to see what you can & can not do.

By the way it is the same injury not a new one

(04-19-2012 03:48 PM)jeepstang Wrote: Have you ever had a ekg to see the nerve functions? Also what type of meds do they have you on and what type of therapy? I would ask them about work therapy as well, they have work therapy that like yo stated simulates your work, if you cannot do that therapy you cannot do the job, I went to one that had all types of therapies for all type of work, ask about it, if you go to work and hurt yourself further does the Dr take the fall or you? I would also ask the Dr who refused the surgery to see what he meant, if a DR says its not a surgical candidate thats one thing , but if he balks at it for other reasons a 3 option may be best.

Yes I did have a ekg and I was told that it shows some nerve issues around L5-S1. Can't recall all of the meds put I know it was steroids, celebrex & diazepam. The PT consist of strength & streching. The first Dr. told me about it & recommend it before or after surgery. The 2nd Dr. told me not to bother with it just go to work & see how u do.

Good question about getting hurt again I'll have to ask my attorney about that. When I asked why not surgery he told me that the bone looks good & he do not see any fractures on the bone. He only see where I may have some discomfort on the MRI. It may be me but I thought if the bone had fractures the a fusion will be bad.

jayc123 · 04-20-2012, 06:15 AM

In my case the bones are fine its the jelly-like discs in between them that is the problem bursting and pushing on the nerves. You said you had a herniated and bulging discs(thats what i have), it sounds to me that you should re-explain what that is to your atty because the bone has nothing to do with it. The way you wrote it it sounds like your atty looked at the mri and said no fractures in the bone. If its the doc that said this request a new one cause he's an idiot. It shows you can't do your job, you tried and it came back all over again, seems pretty clear to me it'll happen again if not get even worse, I'm new to all this so i didn't know about work simulation, but jeepstangs explanation sounds perfect to prove you can or can't do your job. Good luck it sounds like you need it

darrinb · 04-20-2012, 12:10 PM

(04-20-2012 06:15 AM)jayc123 Wrote: In my case the bones are fine its the jelly-like discs in between them that is the problem bursting and pushing on the nerves. You said you had a herniated and bulging discs(thats what i have), it sounds to me that you should re-explain what that is to your atty because the bone has nothing to do with it. The way you wrote it it sounds like your atty looked at the mri and said no fractures in the bone. If its the doc that said this request a new one cause he's an idiot. It shows you can't do your job, you tried and it came back all over again, seems pretty clear to me it'll happen again if not get even worse, I'm new to all this so i didn't know about work simulation, but jeepstangs explanation sounds perfect to prove you can or can't do your job. Good luck it sounds like you need it

It was my doctor that said that not my attorney. I didn't get a good vibe from him. It sounded like he was just pushing me back to work. Even when I asked about taking the occupational test, he said no just go back & see how you make out or I may find myself unemployed. I didn't think this sounded right coming from a doctor

jayc123 · 04-20-2012, 03:52 PM

It doesn't sound right At ALL. Try to request another doc and let your atty know the facts cause i wouldn't want that doc doing anything to me.

PainandSmiles · 04-21-2012, 05:48 PM

Don't answer my questions.. just something to think about.

Did you talk to your attorney about going to your personal doctor while waiting for the comp case to be open?

I don't know about your state but in my state it is illegal and fraud to use your personal doctor for a WC injury. I'm sure though, if you spoke to your attorney, they would have told you if that was the case.

darrinb · (This post was last modified: 04-21-2012 09:13 PM by darrinb.)

(04-21-2012 05:48 PM)PainandSmiles Wrote: Don't answer my questions.. just something to think about.

Did you talk to your attorney about going to your personal doctor while waiting for the comp case to be open?

I don't know about your state but in my state it is illegal and fraud to use your personal doctor for a WC injury. I'm sure though, if you spoke to your attorney, they would have told you if that was the case.

I know that you have asked not to answer but here I go. Yes I did talk to my attorney & it was his suggestion that if I feel that I need medical attention while the IC ignored my calls the see my personal doctor. In NJ you are allow to see any other doctor but you will be paying out of pocket as I did. It not fair that you have to rely on just the IC doctors who in most case try to just say nothing wrong & push you back to work