kneeless and nervous

[kneeless]

Hello!

Let me start off by saying that I have been cruising around the board here for a few days. Unfortunately it's been helpful and a little scary at the same time!

In March I was injured at work. Basically I was at a work related site and the stairs to the house were shoddy at best. As I was coming down the stairs in the dark, a step gave way and somehow, my workboot became snarled on something as I fell. Long story short is I thought I tore my ACL and was thinking that it would be a simple fix and back to work in six months...

Boy was I wrong... Let me say that to this point the WC IC has been great. They have answered my questions and have approved everything reasonably quick aside from getting from the GP DR to the orthopedic. Due to a previous ACL surgery and a screw that was left in my knee, the MRI showed nothing where the pain was so they elected to scope my knee. What I found out was that I tore 100% of my meniscus and my cartilage is pretty much gone as well. They attempted micro-fractures in an attempt to regenerate the cartilage, but it didn't work. Walking is now very painful and I have bone-on-bone. They are trying to preauthorized injections to help, but the orthopedic said there is no "if", I need a knee replacement! I refuse to take any pain meds as I don't want to fall into that groove and it's hard to get sleep anymore due to the pain.

Well I thought that would be fine and I would just keep doing whatever I need to do, but now I learned that my employer does not need to retain me or find me a new position... Basically I can and most likely will be terminated based on the fact that my job requires a certain amount of physical ability and with a knee replacement I will be below the 100% required to do the task.

I'm a little worried at this point as it's a pretty good paying job and it will take me years to get to a point where I am making similar money. Savings is about wiped out at this point as my wife was out of work for part of last year following cancer...

What are my options? Am I doing the right thing up to this point? We are thinking of selling our house at this point and moving, but I can't afford to pay a moving company... getting hurt is costing me about 2k a month and I'm starting to get really nervous!!!


Thanks in advance!
Kneeless in Colorado

[Still in Limbo]

Hi Kneeless! You need an Attorney and fast!! You also need to get some pain Meds. so that you are thinking clearly, the stress from pain in time may cause you to make the wrong decision!! If it were me I would be fighting tooth and nail for what is mine, and I wouldn't let them make me Sell My House!! You have rights and you have to protect them! Just my opinion, and I hope things start looking up for you!!!

[rickandkryss]

It is true that your employer can replace you but that is not the end of the rope. It is my believe that sometimes things happen for a reason and in the end you will be better than before, at least financially. When they told me I was done doing the type of work i did I was devastated and very scared about our future. I am not going to lie it has been real rough and in fact brought us to bankruptcy. However, after two years of rejection from employers I finally found a line of work I was quite good at and actually make more an hour at as well. I am also in college working toward a degree in sociology/criminology. I encourage you to look at the wider picture and ask yourself what it is that you would like to do as a career, because now is your chance to go for it. In some states W/C will actually pay for college if you qualify. So dont lose hope!

The knee replacement should bring you pain relief...I agree and respect your position to not take pain meds. I injured my knee (ACL) as well and did not choose to take pain meds either. Now I am glad for that because I went through some serious moments of depression and could have taken the pain med thing to far. How could I move forward with my mind unclear from meds?

[kneeless]

Thanks for the replies. I guess that I should add that I am getting paid through the IC, I just don't recieve the OT that I used to which was significant. I also can't drive a company car, so the gas toll is adding up. This is where things are starting to really add up. The nervous and cautious side of me was telling me to sell the house as bank the equity and try to move to townhome or something to save cash. My wife is back at work, but can't take care of all the bills on her own. I guess I'm just confussed on what can or will happen from here. How long my benefits will last and how long I can expect the dissability checks to roll in. I'm not affraid to work, I'm just affraid that I won't be able to get another job within $10 bucks an hour I make now... I guess I'm worried about a serious pay cut in the end of this thing.

Rickandkryss: I did start college again and am working on my business degree. I was hoping to continue after that for something that I enjoy and pays well I was thinking of a BA in IT management or something, or perhaps web-based design. My goal was to work from home in ten years or before I turn 45

Thanks gain from the replies, I have theropy this morning and I'm sure I'll have more questions this afternoon!

[Bummer Knees]

Wecome to board.

I also need knee replacements.

I was injured on the job 20 months ago and had meniscus surgery on my left knee 3 months later.

Due to my altered gait I had an overuse injury of my good knee and had meniscus surgery on it earlier this year,

I need knee replacement and am waiting approval on my left knee. In the future I will need knee replacement on my right knee.

My altered gait has cause problems with my back and I am in week 3 of week 6 of physical therapy.

What I am saying is having "just" a knee injury can lead to other injures if left untreated.

I am on unpaid leave with my job and expect after I am released without restrictions to be terminated.

Earlier this year my attorney encouraged me to file for social security, I did so Jan 31, and was approved March 17th.

Social Security Administration has two disability programs for adults.
SSI is income based and SSD is a program for disabled workers that have paid in enough credits and is not income based.

With SSD your disability needs to last at least 12 months.

I mentioned social security because you mentioned the possibility of your job ending. You can collect both wc disability benefits and social security at the same time with an offset.

My attorney told me if the weight bearing joint are involved, it then increases the chances of qualifying for social security benefits.

I am enrolled in online college classes and they enable me to continue my education. I would not be able to tolerate sitting in a classroom and the walking required in an on campus classroom.

Your wc payments will continue until you reach MMI.
Other on this board can explain this better then me.

Take Care,

Bummer Knees

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I've been reading on the new type Knee replacements, that many people are up and about now in a matter of days. Medical on this issue has come a long way over the years. I know this, for I need a Replacement also, only I've been holding it off. Might be better to get things done sooner than latter, so you can then find some gainful employment. I have heard some to many people even return to their normal employement after a Knee Replacement...

[rholmes]

Hi Kneeless,

Welcome to the board, I am still kind of new to this board, but I too need knee replacement and I am putting it off as long as I can. I think you should really first start taking your meds because the pain will get worst. I had knee surgery in 2003 after 4 years of working I find that my job says I can no longer do my job. Seems nuts since I have been working for the past 4 years with only minor discomfort. But my surgeon did try to make me retire after the first surgery. I am trying to hold on because I can retire next year not with age but with my 23 years with the company. I am not sure where you are but in cali If you can't get to the doctor they will supply you wiith transportation. If you can drive they pay you mileage. Maybe you should take the advise of the others on here and look into ssd and get an attorney. Good luck to you hope everything works out.

[kneeless]

Thanks again for the replies guys! I'm definately more clear mentally over the past few days. Likely because I know I'm not alone in this venture and two, the pain in my joint has got much better. I actually got two good nights of sleep

I appreciate all the advice. I'm definately going to see how the next two or three weeks goes. I should have met my primary DR and the ortho by then, started injuections and hopefully will have an idea of where I'm sitting.

It sounds crazy that I'm more worried about being finacially ruined, my kids having to downgrade life style and the image of it than I am the pain or the future surgeries. This whole thing is more of an attack on my pride!

Sorry to hear about everyone elses knees! I know how bad it is!!!

[capricorn]

Here's my turn on the knees and the back. Herniated 2 disks in '99. Did work hardening PT to learn how to lift properly with my legs instead of my back. Asked the PT how long it would take for my knees to go lifting from a squat postition. In my case it took until '04 when I suffered 2 different bulged disks and a meniscus sprain that left me with a buckling knee. In '06 the buckling knee caused this current injury. It buckled, I rolled over on my ankle causing tendonitis in two ankle tendons and twisted my back bulging all 4 disks that had been previously injured. It's a domino affect with me. Hurt the back, walk funny, hurt a knee/ knee buckles , twist the back. This has been ongoing for me since '99. Aquatic PT and being concious at all times how I'm walking have been the only things that have helped strenthen my knee and back. Of course needing a knee replacement as you all do is so much different. Ijust wanted to verify that the knees and the back go hand in hand most of the time.

CAP

[rholmes]

capricorn Wrote:
Here's my turn on the knees and the back. Herniated 2 disks in '99. Did work hardening PT to learn how to lift properly with my legs instead of my back. Asked the PT how long it would take for my knees to go lifting from a squat postition. In my case it took until '04 when I suffered 2 different bulged disks and a meniscus sprain that left me with a buckling knee. In '06 the buckling knee caused this current injury. It buckled, I rolled over on my ankle causing tendonitis in two ankle tendons and twisted my back bulging all 4 disks that had been previously injured. It's a domino affect with me. Hurt the back, walk funny, hurt a knee/ knee buckles , twist the back. This has been ongoing for me since '99. Aquatic PT and being concious at all times how I'm walking have been the only things that have helped strenthen my knee and back. Of course needing a knee replacement as you all do is so much different. Ijust wanted to verify that the knees and the back go hand in hand most of the time.

CAP

WOW CAP YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I FIRST INJURED MY BACK IN 98 AND I GUESS FROM NOT WALKING PROPERLY OVER THE YEARS THE KNEES WENT OUT TOO. I HAD LEFT KNEE SURGERY AND NEED THE RIGHT ONE DONE. DOCTOR WANTS TO DO A KNEE REPLACMENT BUT I AM TRYING TO HOLD OUT.