Knee injury nightmare

[cherokeegal]

I've been keeping a diary of everything since the day I was injured. I make notes of all phone calls, visits, etc. I've been told that I can't claim mileage reimbursement, because it's not 15 miles from my house to the hospital or doc office.

The doctor they sent me to has a horrible bedside manner, and as I previously said, I think he supports the hospital. The Nurse Practicioner I saw in EH was a sweet girl, but the LPN who is the WC person onsite is hateful, and has "forgotten" to do some of the things she was supposed to do. I've made note of every time she has said she "forgot" to do something she said she would do.

The adjuster with the IC acts sweet, and calls me "honey", but I know she isn't my friend and doesn't give a flying flip about me. LOL I think the next time she calls me "honey" I am going to ask her to stop and be professional. My department director has called a couple times, but only wants to know when I will be back to full duty, and I've noticed that every time she's called me she has had me on speaker phone.

[cherokeegal]

I'm really dreading tomorrow. It's my first PT session. Not sure what to expect, but I know it's going to hurt.

I went to see the therapist Friday for my initial evaluation. She gave me a very thorough exam....much more thorough than either the NP at Employee Health or the ortho surgeon. But, oh how it hurt! I was fighting back tears and sweating profusely from the pain the whole time. She said that she sees signs of some "ligament damage" with resulting "laxity" of my knee joint. She said her main goals are pain reduction and getting me to walking without crutches. (I am zero weight-bearing now.) She didn't say a word about going back to work. The WC person at work and the adjuster have both said they want me to come back right now at least at light duty. I don't know how I could do that. I'm still completely on crutches, and unable to bear any weight on the knee at all. And the pain is horrible, causing me to take 2 Lortab 5s every 4 hours around the clock. My director has already said that I can't come back, even to work the desk, if I'm still taking narcotics.

[cherokeegal]

I'm really dreading tomorrow. It's my first PT session. Not sure what to expect, but I know it's going to hurt.

I went to see the therapist Friday for my initial evaluation. She gave me a very thorough exam....much more thorough than either the NP at Employee Health or the ortho surgeon. But, oh how it hurt! I was fighting back tears and sweating profusely from the pain the whole time. She said that she sees signs of some "ligament damage" with resulting "laxity" of my knee joint. She said her main goals are pain reduction and getting me to walking without crutches. (I am zero weight-bearing now.) She didn't say a word about going back to work. The WC person at work and the adjuster have both said they want me to come back right now at least at light duty. I don't know how I could do that. I'm still completely on crutches, and unable to bear any weight on the knee at all. And the pain is horrible, causing me to take 2 Lortab 5s every 4 hours around the clock. My director has already said that I can't come back, even to work the desk, if I'm still taking narcotics.

[hurt back]

(07-22-2012 09:07 PM)cherokeegal Wrote:  I'm really dreading tomorrow. It's my first PT session. Not sure what to expect, but I know it's going to hurt.

I went to see the therapist Friday for my initial evaluation. She gave me a very thorough exam....much more thorough than either the NP at Employee Health or the ortho surgeon. But, oh how it hurt! I was fighting back tears and sweating profusely from the pain the whole time. She said that she sees signs of some "ligament damage" with resulting "laxity" of my knee joint. She said her main goals are pain reduction and getting me to walking without crutches. (I am zero weight-bearing now.) She didn't say a word about going back to work. The WC person at work and the adjuster have both said they want me to come back right now at least at light duty. I don't know how I could do that. I'm still completely on crutches, and unable to bear any weight on the knee at all. And the pain is horrible, causing me to take 2 Lortab 5s every 4 hours around the clock. My director has already said that I can't come back, even to work the desk, if I'm still taking narcotics.

When doing anything do not fight back the tears, let them see / feel your pain..

As far as physical therapy same thing there as well, and do NOT over do yourself.. That was my first impression when I was there to get out ASAP, but then my PT told me to take it easy due to she could see the amount of pain I was in.. So do NOT push yourself only do what you feel comfortable doing.. Normal on your first day they "get to know you and the injury" not alot I did on my first day, they normally do an "interview" type of thing and use that for your starting of what to do on your injury on your next visit.. But they are all different I'm sure.

You can still work on light duty on crutches just very inconvient of course.. I would try it and if you feel you can't do it then let the Dr. know the amount of pain you are in and sometimes they can reverse / change your restrictions..

Get in writing that they will not let you work while taking Narcotics and provide that with your Dr and he / she can relay that to the adjuster or you yourself can..

I hope that it all works out please let us know..

[cherokeegal]

Well there was no fighting back the tears during PT today. I couldn't hold them in, and lay there and cried like a baby. I hate this!!!!

[hurt back]

(07-23-2012 06:58 PM)cherokeegal Wrote:  Well there was no fighting back the tears during PT today. I couldn't hold them in, and lay there and cried like a baby. I hate this!!!!

I had to do 16 sessions of PT and pain everytime I went. Informed my Dr and then he stopped saying my pain was not suppose to be that way and the Physical therapist even noted on my chart that everytime I came it seem like they were doing more bad than good..

Just remember if you CAN'T do it DON'T do it!!!!!!!

[cherokeegal]

Still having lots of swelling and increased pain since PT yesterday. Called doc today and his PA called me in a stronger pain pill and a muscle relaxer.

Back to PT tomorrow.....

[cherokeegal]

Still having lots of swelling and increased pain since PT yesterday. Called doc today and his PA called me in a stronger pain pill and a muscle relaxer.

Back to PT tomorrow.....

[hurt back]

I understand your pain and frustration... i'm a/b 2 weeks away from being injured 5 months ago and my mine is still the same from day 1....

Just do what you can do and make sure you inform them and your doctor after the PT visit how much it hurts ( if any ) so that way they will know..

Good luck.

[cherokeegal]

The PT is only making things worse. I am going to call my employer Monday morning and request a new physician on the grounds that I don't feel like I am being treated correctly by the one they sent me to due to a conflict of interest. He admits patients to and does surgeries at the hospital that is my employer, and the first thing he told me when he walked in the room for my last appt was "I've got to get you back to work, the hospital is mad at me." I am going to request someone who is not affiliated with my employer and uses another hospital. If they don't allow me, then I'll have to get an attorney involved.