Texas..Rvcd letter request Designated Doctor by I/C

[sand3rd]

I received the letter today I think my I/C carrier requested...What happens now? My facet injection is not until 12/18/09..I'm sill in alot of pain from lower back to left leg to my heel..when I sit for long periods of time as well laying down. My question is what happens now look like I/c wants to know MMI and IR.


date of injury 08/04/2009....L4-L5 and L5-S1 there is mild diffuse broad based bulging of the disk...In addition there is minor facet and ligamentous hypertrophy..Nerve damage on my L5-S1

[1171]

What happens depends on the designated doctors oppinion--it will supercede your treating doctor.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Here's the thing (mild diffuse broad based bulging of the disk) could mean part of the aging process, or even an old injury. But, reagravation even of an old injury is coverable. Only an up-dated MRI and Discogram, is going to show what is really going on in there now. As a 6 month old MRI isn't much good now, for the spine problems could have progressed.

The Lumbar spine you have an old bulge, not described as an herniation, which has not enlarged since the last film 6 months ago. This is at L4 - L5 & L5 - S1. The spinal canal (the space within which the spinal cord floats) is slightly compressed. No mention is made of whether the nerve "windows" are also narrowed. This MAY be what is causing the pain when you have. This could also be caused by local muscle spasm.

I hope this helps. There are no back surgeons or neurlologist on this forum who can explain more about the implications of the MRI. Also, that information can only be made knowing what your symptoms are and what your exam shows. Good luck.

[sand3rd]

Thanks Bad Boy for your help..