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bck9900 · (This post was last modified: 12-16-2010 03:40 PM by bck9900.)

Hey guys;
I'm sure most of us have been through this but I'm a bit scared. I live in Texas; and hurt myself in the 11/09. Have been receiving tibs ever since. I have had two surgeries (SLAP tear repair and something where they had to go back into the shoulder and remove a lot of scar tissue) but my PT is moving for a FME meeting.
I am just worried about how this will go? For the most part my shoulder is fine as long as no one messes with it or I don't have to use it. After about 2 minutes of using it (read therapy), I start to lose range of motion strength and pain starts to increase. If I continue past this point for about 15 minutes the pain will last all week; it very easily gets to the point of hurting to walk; causing spasming down the back; and tightness down the arm. I have read where others only get 10%MMI and I worry that this is what will happen to me.
I was a truck driver before this; handling 100lbs to 200 lbs per delivery 30 or 40 times a day. There is no way I can go back to this and I don't know how to do anything else. Even if they pay for training elsewhere will I continue to receive Tibs? Will my mmi reflect the pain that shoots through my body.
Sorry but for the past 7 years I have been the only breadwinner in the household and now everything has come to an end.

jayne · 12-14-2010, 10:46 AM

can you pass a DOT phyical?if not then you can drive a truck anymore.....I am not sure of your age but because of the limitations my husband was given SSDI He was a driver for Pepsi and was in the Military before that and could not transfer either skill...and they felt to old to retrain(read not worth the money to retrain)....AQA is going back to school in Texas he may be able to help you

1171 · (This post was last modified: 12-14-2010 12:18 PM by 1171.)

never heard of an FME before.
your Temporary Impairment Benefit payments will end once your status is switched from temporary to permanent.
at that point you will be eligible for some limited duration impairment benefits.
you can find out more about Texas benefits here
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/publicatio...benefitsfs

read the fact sheet on impairment income benefits.

bck9900 · 12-14-2010, 01:22 PM

1171 Wrote:never heard of an FME before.
your Temporary Impairment Benefit payments will end once your status is switched from temporary to permanent.
at that point you will be eligible for some limited duration impairment benefits.
you can find out more about Texas benefits here
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/publicatio...benefitsfs

read the fact sheet on impairment income benefits.

Thanks for the links! I'm 26 so not looking forward to this at all. I thought about going back to school while waiting on all this (I have been on WC for a little over a year) but wasn't sure if what I wanted was going to be within my physical abilities.
Could any one hazard a guess what MMI percentage would be?

1171 · (This post was last modified: 12-14-2010 02:00 PM by 1171.)

Impairment ratings are complex and based upon your level of recovery.
only someone with detailed knowledge your medical condition can do a rating.

if you want to try and maximize your rating you should seek out an atty that specializes in workers comp.

bck9900 · 12-14-2010, 01:57 PM

1171 since you have been around so long maybe you can answer this for me. I was originally diagnosed with a 95%slap tear with other minor tears. I was going up a short flight of stairs and dropped 600lbs on to my chest/shoulder/pelvic. Luckily the only thing injured was my shoulder but; I have not been allowed to lift my toddler in over a year. Its not that I'm not strong enough just the shoulder joint is "unstable". Is that common with slap tears? Will I ever be able to play with her? I know your not a doctor but I'm sure youve seen others with similar injuries.
One thing to add; sometimes I feel sorry for myself. I look at my friends and seeing them lift their children and you know it just makes me sad; but reading these forums reminds me how lucky I actually am/was.

1171 · (This post was last modified: 12-14-2010 02:22 PM by 1171.)

it's not common but happens occasionally; they can be very slow to heal.

a common complication from patient guarding and under use due to pain can cause adhesions which seriously restrict range of motion and block recovery.

have you had a consult or second opinion from another ortho?

if you're developing some depression and an emotional component ask your doctor for a referral for counseling.
prolonged pain from a serious injury is often a trigger for such problems.
they can become chronic if not delt with quickly.

bck9900 · 12-14-2010, 02:55 PM

1171 Wrote:it's not common but happens occasionally; they can be very slow to heal.

a common complication from patient guarding and under use due to pain can cause adhesions which seriously restrict range of motion and block recovery.

have you had a consult or second opinion from another ortho?

if you're developing some depression and an emotional component ask your doctor for a referral for counseling.
prolonged pain from a serious injury is often a trigger for such problems.
they can become chronic if not delt with quickly.

I've asked for antidepressents as well as sleep aids and both request were ignored.

As far as range of motion I think its really good; I would guess probably 90-95% of where it was. The limited motion is behind the back which I am told is to be expected. Its just the constant pain. I get a steroid shot everytime I go to see the doctor but depending on the exact location of the shot it either HURTS or causes instant relief. I wonder if they missed something? And of course I wonder if they did why it would take 3 surgeries to fix something that they told me I would be back to work at in 3 months. Of course by now I have been terminated by my job.

bck9900 · (This post was last modified: 12-16-2010 03:32 AM by bck9900.)

Sorry about the confusion; my PT is recommending a FCE to the WC. I asked him today if another surgery could fix it and he said probably not; that my left shoulder is pretty well the best it will every be.
He did say something about having a lot of discomfort in the soft tissue is that normal? Also I was just wondering; I had 7 anchors put in originally; with one taken out after the second surgery; is that normal? I know it's a lot compared to some others that I have talken to.
Just one other thing: I have a lump on my left bicep about the width of 3 fingers and 2 inches long; is that normal for not having worked out a lot?
Thanks for your patience!

AQA · 12-16-2010, 08:45 AM

As I am sure you know. WC does not pay for pain and suffering.

Why is the PT requesting a fce? Concidering that it should be your treating dr. Further more, you may want to ask your treating dr. what he/she thinks that your rating will be.

As Jayne mentioned, I am going back to school. The state is paying for the tuition and books. They are slow to react, but when they do. It is worth while. You may want to check out "DARS". As far as monitary income goes, I get SSDI. It is just enough to keep me going while in school.