Shoulder Surgery & WC

[Calico]

Need some help for someone with a shoulder injury in MI-long story

Injured shoulder 9 months ago due to heavy lifting. PT ordered, no improvement. MRI shows numerous tears in ligaments, cyst and bone spurs. Arthroscopic repair of tear. More PT, no improvement. No further tests done. Ortho doc does decompression surgery. More PT, no improvement. All treatment done by WC doctors, has NCM who goes INTO all appts. At this time Ortho says does not know what else to do. I think they mean MMI, patient not sure. NCM changed after this, therapy ordered at different location. Sounds like work hardening, again patient not sure. Now IC has ordered an IME and stated in writing he could bring a doctor to this appt. at his expense.
All TTD and medical paid to date.
Advised that NCM should not be going into appts.(a little late now), get a second opinion, another MRI, legal opinion and take a witness for IME. Bad Boy, How am I doing??
My questions are?
Why in the he#$ would this Ortho do a second surgery and not order another MRI after symptoms continued?
Is this considered failed shoulder surgery?
Can anything else be done surgically or does he have to live with this?
Not too keen on another surgery since the first two did not work.
Any input greatly appreciated!

[Jaycojade]

Hmmmm; Failed surgery??? Dr's won't admit to that;they prefer to call it an "unsuccessful surgery". I've had 3 (2 on my left & 1 on my right).

"Why in the he#$ would this Ortho do a second surgery and not order another MRI after symptoms continued?"= Some tears don't show & if he feels sure of what he'll find he won't order another MRI.

In Pa. you can choose your own Dr after 90 days; not sure about your state--- but check into it & get your own ortho doc.

I was told by a few of the Dr's I've seen; that it's something I'll have to live with. In the beginning; I've seen other Dr's hopeing for different answers. Now; I just want to be painfree as much as I can & I only do what I can.

Treatments I've had for my shoulders in the last 5 years were:
PT; cortizone shots; surgeries; massage; accupunture; TENS unit; stimulator; more PT & now just exercise bands; & told will need another surgery done on my right shoulder sometime in the near future. (not too keen on this-- I'm like you with your thinking "why do it again; if the others didn't work"--- So I'll have to do some thinkin on it when the time comes).

Stay clear of any & all NCM ~~ They are not your friend -- they work for your IC & will do whatever to save the IC a few $'s by getting you back to work even if your not healed.

If you do not have a lawyer; I really think you should start looking for one --- & one whom specializes in WC cases.

I wish you luck. Feel free to email me if you want. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Take care. Jaycojade

[Lilly]

Hi,
I have had 3 unsuccessful shoulder surgeries. Over 130 PT sessions, PT at home 2 x's a day for months, cortisone shots, prednisone bursts, massage, tens, ultra sound heat...you name it. Nothing helped. I am a scar tissue grower, and seems the shoulder has froze down because of the excessive scar tissue growth. I also believe the reason for not doing another MRI is because they are expensive, and don't always show a tear. I only ever had one initial MRI also....it showed no tear, and there was one that could only been seen during surgery. I have accepted the fact that I have a disabled arm, and would just as soon be left alone. It took 3 months after all the PT stopped for the constant & quite severe pain to calm alittle. WC is bound and determined to get me back to work, as I have been in voc rehab for over a year,....I am in work hardening now. I am eating pain pills to get me through the 4 hr day at work. I went from 2 pain pills daily...to 5-6. Now my gut is acting up on top of everything else.
I made another visit to my O Doc....he gave me a cortisone shot which seemed to help this time. When I told him I was in work hardening...he asked "What the hell for?" then, shook his head in disgust.and said "Sounds like a WC tactic" . True.
I opted out of another surgery too....he offered to send me to another doc that he had heard about (he did not tell WC of this option) and I told him , I had accepted the fact that I am the way I am...as I don't want to go through another surgery and especially all that killer PT. So, that's my story & it sounds very similar to yours!
Take care & prayer for you. Lilly

[Calico]

Jayco & Lilly--Thanks for the replies. I am not familiar with shoulder issues, my problems are in cervical spine. The info was for another IW that is at his wits end with all of this. Sounds like things reach a point where you do just have to live with the realization that you will never be pain free. THAT BITES!!
When I was first injured I thought that I would get treatment and recover to the way I was. Have not had a pain free day since then, going on seven years. The ups and downs traveled through the WC system only make things worse. This site has helped me and many others know there are people in this world willing to help and give support in dealing with life changing injuries. The links provided on this site by fellow IW are great resources and I have learned so much.
Thanks to all of you who continue to help others despite your own pain and all that goes with it.