rotator cuff surgery

[laurie57]

Hi

Just joined forum and I have a question. I'm really confused about this whole w/c stuff. I had surgery 5/23 for a full thickness tear of my rotator cuff. Therapy is going well, but still having pain especially at night. The strength is still not 100%. I am a registered nurse and of course do a lot of lifting. I see the surgeon on 9/27. I have been off the whole time. He wouldn't even let me go back on light duty yet.
The hospital wants a guarantee from him on the 27th that he will release me back to full duty by 11/4. Knowing what I know of surgeons, I don't think he will give that kind of guarantee. They said if he doesn't then they cannot keep me on. What would be the next step in the process, and do you think a surgeon would give that kind of guarantee?

thanks

[bagpussinamerica]

I don't know about this country in nursing. Is there no contract between you and the hospital with regards to work related injuries. I know for certain that in England I could not have been let go from my job just because of the length of time, etc. And if they had to replace me on the job, they still had to give me a job comprable.

With regards to the surgeon, I know that no surgeon I know of would make that sort of promise.

It just kills me to see so many nurses going off work because of injuries. Says something about the job itself. Man. At least in psychiatry back home I would get what they called "danger money"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[laurie57]

bagpussinamerica Wrote:I don't know about this country in nursing. Is there no contract between you and the hospital with regards to work related injuries. I know for certain that in England I could not have been let go from my job just because of the length of time, etc. And if they had to replace me on the job, they still had to give me a job comprable.

With regards to the surgeon, I know that no surgeon I know of would make that sort of promise.

It just kills me to see so many nurses going off work because of injuries. Says something about the job itself. Man. At least in psychiatry back home I would get what they called "danger money"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes I know what you mean. I live in Pa, US. We have no contract with the hospital.

thanks for your reply

[1171]

You have rights of reasonable accommodation under Federal ADA regs. You could file a complaint if you feel those rights have been violated.
Here's info on ADA
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/adalinks.htm
P.S.
you are beyond the 12 week FMLA job protection time limit.

[capricorn]

Hi Laurie......I am 5 months shoulder surgery post -op and no where nears ready to work. I am in pain and have a hard time showering , dressing and driving to PT. Can't imagine working. Please don't short change yourself. It sounds like you have had better luck than me with the surgery or maybe I had more work done in there. I am just starting to not scream at PT and have about 40-50% ROM back. AM still in some sort of pain all the time but it is tolerable now. I wish you all the best.


CAP

[Lilly]

Hi Laurie,
I doubt very much the surgeon will/can guarantee that you will be able to go back to work by a specific date. Especially after shoulder surgery. IMO, the hospital should know first hand, that recovery periods are not determined by a specific time length to heal, as all people heal differently.
Hope it all works out for you. Lilly
ps...Welcome to the forum

[laurie57]

capricorn Wrote:

Hi Laurie......I am 5 months shoulder surgery post -op and no where nears ready to work. I am in pain and have a hard time showering , dressing and driving to PT. Can't imagine working. Please don't short change yourself. It sounds like you have had better luck than me with the surgery or maybe I had more work done in there. I am just starting to not scream at PT and have about 40-50% ROM back. AM still in some sort of pain all the time but it is tolerable now. I wish you all the best.

thanks
Did you have a full thickness tear? What kind of work do you do?
I don't think my surgeon is going to give a guarantee that I can return with no restrictions by 11/4 when I see him next week.

CAP

[capricorn]

Hi Laurie......I have spent 20 years pushing and pulling pallets, lifting overhead and from the ground up, being on my feet all day as I'm lifting and running. 20 years ago it was a cinch.

In April I had 10 bone spurs removed, part of the acromium bone and an 1 1/2 inch rotator cuff tear repaired. It was an open surgery, arthroscopic couldn't be done. Had a bad PT 2 weeks post-op who yanked my arm. Ended up at 10 weeks with frozen shoulder. Finally am doing better after 5 months BUT still can't do much. Pain has subsided alot but my arm doesn't move well and I drop everything I pick up in that hand expecially small things. A pill, a bottle cap, ect. Have very little strenghth to go along with it. I can't imagine my surgeon putting any sort of time limit on this. No one expected the frozen shoulder. Plus having a bad neck the PT on my shoulder is tearing my neck up. How can anyone, Dr. or not, put a definite date on when a surgery paitient will be good to go. SOme with shoulder injureis never are. Please keep us updated.

CAP

[laurie57]

capricorn Wrote:

Hi Laurie......I have spent 20 years pushing and pulling pallets, lifting overhead and from the ground up, being on my feet all day as I'm lifting and running. 20 years ago it was a cinch.

In April I had 10 bone spurs removed, part of the acromium bone and an 1 1/2 inch rotator cuff tear repaired. It was an open surgery, arthroscopic couldn't be done. Had a bad PT 2 weeks post-op who yanked my arm. Ended up at 10 weeks with frozen shoulder. Finally am doing better after 5 months BUT still can't do much. Pain has subsided alot but my arm doesn't move well and I drop everything I pick up in that hand expecially small things. A pill, a bottle cap, ect. Have very little strenghth to go along with it. I can't imagine my
surgeon putting any sort of time limit on this. No one expected the frozen shoulder. Plus having a bad neck the PT on my shoulder is tearing my neck up. How can anyone, Dr. or not, put a definite date on when a surgery paitient will be good to go. SOme with shoulder injureis never are. Please keep us updated.

thanks Cap for your input. You sound like me with your line of work. I'm an RN who pulled, pushed, lifted for 23 years. Really took a toll on my tendons in both arms. I don't think I will ever be able to do direct nursing care again. What is the next step. I don't understand the whole process. I live in PA.

thanks again

CAP

[capricorn]

Laurie..It was established in my treating Dr's and my supervisor's depo's that I would never be able to do my job. Too many injured body parts over the years to lift like that anymore. I am also in PA and so are a few others. I am still asking lots of questions myself. If you're asking what happens IF you employer terminates you, you can still remain on WC. WC follows you not your employer. Do you have an attorney??? There is a great PA attorney on the boards named Timothy Belt who has bee a great help to many of us. We were talking yesterday about where I am right now. Read other posts, alot of times some of your answers are right there. I would in the meantime start interviewing a couple of experienced WC attorney's. Basically what will happen if you are terminated is that when the time comes that you are sent to work with/without restrictions you will have to look for another job. I am in the same boat as you.

CAP