back injury

[carlos58]

Igot injured at work back in 06/2008;L-3-L4-shows a 4 mmdisk protission;L4-L5 shows 6 mm;L5-S1 shows 6 mm an other disk shows a annular TEAR;doctor tells me cirgury is my only option; my pain is horrible; down to my left leg ; right leg goes numb after i stand up for an hour;iam in wc; what would happen if i refuse to have the sirgury done?? any ideas? thanks..is this my only option?

[1171]

you need medical advice for treatment options. also how your state's comp system works.
we need to know your state in order to answer.

[carlos58]

1171 Wrote:you need medical advice for treatment options. also how your state's comp system works.
we need to know your state in order to answer.

iam in california; and receiving workers comp benefits;

[1171]

you can request a change of doctors within the Medical provider network at any time. There is also provision for a second medical opinion whenever spinal surgery is being considered. you may want to contact the carrier about getting a consult before deciding.
If there are no other treatment options available it's likely your condition will be considered to have become both permanent and stationary. at which time temporary benefits will stop and reduced payments as advances on permanent disability will begin while a disability rating is being obtained. treatment will continue uninterrupted.
there is more information from the factsheets
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/iwguides.html

[carlos58]

network at any time. There is also provision for a second medical opinion whenever spinal surgery is being considered. you may want to contact the carrier about getting a consult before deciding.
If there are no other treatment options available it's likely your condition will be considered to have become both permanent and stationary. at which time temporary benefits will stop and reduced payments as advances on permanent disability will begin while a disability rating is being obtained. treatment will continue uninterrupted.
there is more information from the factsheets
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/iwguides.html
[/quote]
thanks so much 1171;actually this is the 5th doctor iam dealing with; my attorney send me to this one; and he is saying pretty much same as others doctors..iam just really scared about sirgury iam a 50 yr old man.thanks again

[1171]

the only thing a public message board could offer that 5 physicians and specialists might not are non-traditional, non-standard, unconventional, and/or alternative medicine therapies that are outside most practicianer guidelines. Is that what you are looking for...?
I would not expect work comp carriers or many large scale medical operations would endorse or provide such services under current regulations. if you want to pursue such a direction on your own, you will have to obtain a buyout of your claim first.