What Happens Now

[Newbackie]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here, from Kentucky.

Quick background: Hurt my back at work 11/10, sent for testing etc., referred to neurosurgeon, had a herniated disc compressing nerve root and was losing leg function/strength. Surgery was recommended and approved immediately, and done 01/11. Did great after surgery for about 6 wks, then had recurrent radicular pain. Sent for repeat MRI. Shows granulation tissue around nerve, which is normal I am told for all recovering surgery patients. Odd, but ok.

Now surgeon is referring me out to PM&R doc (appt. in 2 wks) for MMI & PPI. I am also scheduled to start PT today (yay!!! very excited as leg is getting weaker and weaker even walking daily etc.) But neuro was kinda weird at appt. Every question I asked (will the nerve heal, will the symptoms go away, if the gran. tissue is around nerve per mri is there anything we can do, etc...) he replied with "the nerve could take 6 to 12 months to heal, if at all, the symptoms are sequellae to the surgery/injury and I really can't give you more info you need to go see a PM&R doc for MMI PPI".

Sorry for long drawn out. My question is this: what happens now from a WC standpoint? How long do they pay for PT? Can the PM&R guy determine MMI/PPI this early? I am itching to get back to working as I'm bored to tears and laying around just gives me more time to think about the pain and freak on the weakness.

The IC has been pretty good to date (knock on wood), approving the tests the neuro requested without delay, but my feeling is that the CM and neuro are trying to get me off the books so to speak. Am I just being paranoid? I really like my CM and hate to feel paranoid lol.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

[1171]

depends on what the referred doctor's opinion is.

comp will pay treatment including PT for as long as needed per Utilization Review guidelines.
yes, there is no set time for an MMI finding
you can return to work any time; discuss it with the doctor.
talk to your employer about light or modified work.

for more information
http://www.labor.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/898...forweb.pdf

[Newbackie]

Thanks so much 1171.

Unfortunately no job to get back to, so am waiting on release to work in order to get a new job. I've been applying for less physically demanding jobs in the hopes that by the time I might get an interview I would be released to work.

Oh, found out from PT that I've been approved for 6 visits (3x wk for 2 weeks), so I will have just finished those visits when I have my first PM&R appt.

Still hoping for a good physical outcome, but now don't feel quite so lost on the WC info front. So thanks again. Will check back in after new doc visit.

[1171]

once you reach maximum recovery you can accept unemployment;
i think you can pre-apply so you can get benefits as soon as the doctor agrees.