ACL and Disk Herniation

[sstirling80]

Hi,

Im hoping someone may have a few words of wisdom for me? Sorry its so long!!!!

Im new here, and im originally from scotland working on a temp visa. I got injured from work (CO) last Jan and was told i had a sprain, had some PT then they thought there was more wrong, I had an MRI which confirmed an ACL Tear, completely gone..so during this time, my back hurt like awful, but i was told, it was they way i was walking...so I had my ACL surgery and with the type visa I had, I had to move to Mass, for new job, luckily boss was understanding and I didnt need to work straight away, but anyways, continued my PT there, and my back still hurt like hell, couldnt put my shoes on etc...just got worse and worse, eventually I managed to get a new MRI, this time on my back, which showed a Herniation...L5 S1...the doctor recommened surgery, Workmans comp refused...which i understand, and recommened the injections.

This was the point where I finally decided to get a lawyer, as I dont have the best knowledge of american health care or insurance. By Oct, in headed back to Colorado, this is around the 6mth mark for original surgery, I start recieving the epidural injections in my back, which have turned my life around, at the moment anyway.

Trying to cut the story short...I have my 6mth check up, i mention that my knee is feeling tight when i bend it recently...so the doc does an xray and explains that the hardwear moved a bit, and its no big deal to take it out, better in long run etc...So, the surgery goes ahead, and seems to be sucessfull, until a week later, i start getting chills, fever, nausia etc..go back to doc, who thinks it may be a small infection, get some antibiotics....it gets worse....few days later the blood is pouring out my leg and i go back, the doc opens up my leg there and then and decideds i have a staph infection....! I end up with a hole in my wound about 1.5inch wide, which i have to pack with gauze 4 times a day to draw out the infection...this happens for almost 2 weeks....(not the easiest thing to do at work)

When i have to go back for another visit...(at this point it was almost a daily visit situation) the doc thinks its looking better and we can start to let it heal....but i mention the opposite side of the incision site is starting to look a bit red, and yet again...the doc opens it up there with some tweezers and il spare you the details but he finds that the infection has now travelled all the way down to the bone of my leg and I have to have another surgery the next day to get as much out as possible...I end up spending the weekend in hospital...(new drain in my leg) losing time from work and now I have a PICC Line in my arm for my 3 times a day injection of antibiotics for the next 6 weeks and after that 1 year of antibiotics....

I feel emotionally drained, feel very withdrawn, my health has suffered this year, put on weight, havent worked as much and found it harder to pay the bills..I just cant believe I have to deal with this for at least another year....I have been paying for prescriptions, which my lawyer is trying to get back for me....but i guess I just wondered if anyone had any idea what i should expect in regards to this ongoing workmans comp claim...I really dont understand the laws behind it, although i am scheduled to have a meeting with my lawyer for the first time...

[jayne]

boy are you in for a shock........All laws here dealing with injury can differ state to state.......so you will have to have a lawyer from the state where they filed your claim......Is your HR dept being any help at all?

[sstirling80]

No, I mean so far they have paid for treatment, but it just seems to be rolling on and on, I just feel like ok, c'mon im almost better and then it starts again

I work for a ski resort, so the HR department is there, but i really havent had any dealings with them since the original injury!

Inbetween jobs during my initial injury, they did pay me a % of what I had been earning, previous, but i had been injured for a month before they realized the extend, so it ended up not being very much, and eventually I had to get to work in my new job, so they took me off that pay...luckily my new job wasnt very physically demanding, but i was in constant pain with my back.

I do have a lawyer in Colorado, who i see soon, i guess its just a waiting game!

[jayne]

hurry up and wait...in the mean time check out the off topics part of this forum a new Bingo game is being started and its free,,,,,welcome

[Still in Limbo]

Hang in there Until You Speak with Your Attorney, they May be able to get You the Care and Monetary Benefits You Need while You Heal. As far as Your Back, I have seen Many Knee Injury Claims expand to Add the Lower back, due to change in Your Gait when You Walk due to the Knee Pain. Make Sure You Discuss this with Your Attorney also, and I Wish You the Best!!

[Lilly]

Hi, and welcome!

You certainly have been put through the mill, health wise! The doctor actually released you to return to work when you had an infection in your knee? Geeze!
I pray that things will start turning around for you once you speak with lawyer.
WC will most likely try to deny your back problems....but you must be persistant, and not give up, until you recieve the care you are entitled to. WC is a very, very slow process...be prepared, as you will also have to learn great patience! Good Luck, and let us know what the lawyer says, and update us on your health situation, ok?
Lilly

[bronco54501]

sstirling80.
So sorry to hear of your situation, make sure you stay on top of that staph infection. I ended up getting MRSA, when ambulance inserted my first chest tube. They did not catch it right away and ended up in blood stream and through all my wounds. I was on vancomiacin IV for 2 months and still take antibiotics for it and has been 1 year 2 months since I got it.

Hopefully you get some relief when you talk to your Attorney. I wish you well and pain free days................Bronco

[sstirling80]

Thank you for all your kind words, It really is a slow process, but hopefully it will work itself out, eventually!

I have another doctors appointment tomorrow, so hopefully my infection count is going down as i hate having the iv in my arm!!!