Many issues and questions

[HurtinGa]

In Georgia.

I just had my second shoulder surgery done this year. First was in 2008 and I have had many issues since that procedure. WC allowed a second surgery and my Dr decided to only do a biceps tenodesis(sp). He said that would cure all of my problems(my complaints after first procedure were: No ROM,Sever pain in top of shoulder and around shoulder blade and a loud bone on bone popping that was/is very painful)

The procedure was performed in Jan-2010 and the Dr immediatley claimed it as a great success. PT begins in Feb-2010 and I begin struggling my way through it. Regaining any sort of ROM is excruciating but I go on with it. Every excersize I do in PT causes me great pain(7-8 on a 1-10) and the PT and Dr both brush it off as normal pains. Pain and problems stay constant and I cant lift my arm above shoulder height and cant lift more than 3 pounds without being in bad pain. In April my Dr became worried and reduced all my therapy to no overhead stuff and a 5lb max weight and have me a cortisone injection. The injection caused me to hurt worse and back in PT I kept trying to do my routine as setup by my therapist. The pain stayed persistent and continued to hurt with no sign of getting better.

May-2010...I return to the Dr for a follw up visit. Dr sees and hears all issues I have(popping,rom,pain etc.) Dr looks at me and says I believe you are at MMI and this is as good as your shoulder will ever be. He places me with 10lb restrictions and no overhead lifting or activities.

He offers no reasons as to why it still hurts so bad or why the popping is happening. Just says your at at MMI and wants to order and FCE and go from there. He also tells me to quit going to PT.

Back at home I advise my WC adjuster and nurse who tell me to continue with my authorized PT visits (8 left) so I go back to pt and tell my therapist what the Dr says and she looks at me in disbelief. She then reworks my PT to go along with what the Dr ordered and I do a few excersizes. Later that afternoon the PT calls and says that WC called and cancelled the remaining appointments I had left since the Dr told them I was at MMI.

I am seeking the advice of a lawyer this coming week but thought someone here could give a few pointers.

[Regrets]

This is Surely sounding like an Attorney is going to be Needed for You, and a Second Opinion or a Better Explanation of Your Current Injury and the Restrictions You have and why. Make Sure You Retain an Attorney You are Comfortable with, and You will feel Much Better knowing You have Someone else in Your Corner to Help You. Bu IMHO a Good w/c Attorney is the Next Step to Protect Your Benefits, and slow things down and get You Some Answers. Best of Luck!!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

As it stands right now, I will say only a Second Medical opinion is going to give you what you need. Maybe even a 3rd medical opinion.

[HurtinGa]

Update:

Finsihed PT...Didnt change anything. Still in bad pain.

Had FCE done: Very brutal for me to get through it.

Returned to Dr for FCE results...Test results gave me a lifting restriction of 12lbs max and no more than 5lbs overhead. Dr signed off on them as permanent restrictions and said there is nothing more he can do for me. He said my rating is still being processed and will be done within the week. At the end of our visit he stands up and looks at me and says "Sorry I couldn't fix you."

This entire ordeal has left me dumbfounded....Two different doctors,two different surgeries and still no better than I was before. Basically I have lost my entire career of over 15 years too.

I have sought the advice of an attorney and he is out of the state for two weeks on vacation so I thought I would update here.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Thanks for the update.

Like any surgery, there is a 50/50 chance it will help, get better, be the same, or get worse. Sorry no way they can come straight out in writing and say otherwise. What is said verbally is just that words going through the air. Shoulders are rough to recover from, and yes PT is brutal, and that is PT is going to hurt like oh heck. It's the person that can get through, and push through the pain, will be the one that gets most rom back and lift weight back. if you can't push through the pain, you will get little results.

It is my opinion, you get out, seek a better Ortho surgeon, and get another opinion to why and what is going on in there, never give up. Remember it's you, and your shoulder not anyone elses.