Below are entries of those who have already shared their stories. We hope that you find their experiences helpful to your own situation.
I had a knee injury at work in 3/07. WC made me wait 2 months before the doctor was able to perform arthroscopic surgery. I continued to work those 2 months, with burning/seering pain in my right leg/knee. The surgeon told me that I had a pre-exisiting condition of arthritis that was aggrivated from the work injury. I was placed on restricted duty, pain meds, and PT. My right knee was in pain,everyday..even with lortabs. After 8 weeks,the doctor told me that there was nothing more he could do for me, and placed me at MMI with permanent restrictions;no walking/standing after 6 hrs. of work. The doctor also told me that I would have to deal with the pain, as he would not prescribe any further pain or anti-inflammatory meds.
I requested a second opinion,as I have to stand and be very physical in my profession as a retail mgr. As far as delegating authority, not possible, as only one person works in the store at a time. I do have 2 part-time employees.
The 2nd opinion was needed to get pain relief and also keep my job
(retail mgr. for 5 1/2 yrs). I was granted a 2nd opinion after 3 week delay. The 2nd doc looked over my records and pictures from the first arthroscopic surgery, and he told me that the 1st surgeon was rather aggressive with the scope. 2nd doc also stated that i do not have arthritis.
I went back on pain meds, and then received 5 Rooster comb injections, directly into the knee joint. These injections are very painful. The injections seemed to work, for about a week. I called the 2nd doc back, and told him that the burning pain was still present, and it hurt to walk.stand/bend/twist,etc. This doc placed me on every anti-inflammatory under the sun; not much relief. I was released with full recovery, even though I complained to him about the burning/stabbing pain, in 11/07. In 12/07, I was forced to move a heavy reg/computer at work( by Corp.), and this caused even more pain to the right knee. It took 2 weeks to see the 2nd doc again, and I had 2 MRI( one reg/one and one with dye injected,afterward). The MRI showed that I had a lateral miniscal tear that tore all the way across to the medial meniscus (first surgery repair in 3/07). I had my 2nd surgery in 1/08. I had land therapy, water therapy, steroids, anti-inflammatories,creams,etc,and pain pills. My right knee became worse: more swollen, and continued with burning, stabbing pain.
It is now 6/08, and I have not been back to work since 1/13/08. WC and Corp.,have been horrible. My 2nd doc told me that my pain reptors have changed. My knee is healed,objectively; it just doesn’t feel like it..because of the swelling,pain, and the inability to walk.stand,etc, without a cane, and a brace.
I had to complete a FCE(Functional Capacity Evaluation),for WC/Corp., and the doc. My results indicate that I am permanently sedentary for any type of future employment. I ask the 2nd doc, what is happening with my knee/leg..how did this happen?? Doc got defensive and told me that he and the 1st doc had nothing to do with the current condition of my knee. Objectively, I am healed…but, the FCE states I am permanently disabled, as far as walking, standing..mainly, any active,physical abilities. Since the 2nd surgery, in 5/08,I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and have therapy every 2 weeks. In 3/08, I began to have panic attacks, and the 1st one was at land PT. It lasted 3 hrs..scared me so bad.
I have insomnia from hell..maybe 4-5 hrs sleep per night..the pain wakes me up..and I can’t get comfy, when I am awake. Doc took me off Lortabs, and wants me to take Darvacet and Ultram; pain cream. Doc told me that I am at MMI, and there is nothing he can do for me. I ask him how my chronic pain is going to be addressed..and he told me that I can have refills on the Dar/Ultram,cream/twice per year, for one year. I told him that those meds aren’t helping me and I want to see a pain specialist to address the chronic pain. Doc told me on 6/10/08, that I needed to know that he thinks I have RSD/CRPS, and a pain specialist would only make me unfunctional..as most patients that go into this pain therapy, aren’t functional,thereafter. I told my doc that I am not functional,NOW!
Doc made the pain specialist request to WC, along with a TENS unit request. I do have a lawyer that is taking the stress off me,somewhat.
2 weeks ago, I developed laryngitis, out of the blue(another inflammatory condition). My knee goes hot and cold..and burns/seers,constantly. I have major depression and panic attacks; along with insomnia. I have been researching RSD/CRPS, and I am in shock..by what I face in the future..and frankly, the cold disposition of both docs to my diagnosis. The 2nd doc wrote Reflux Sympathetic Distrophy, on the MMI report..and it is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Doc also placed me at 2% permanent disability! I was able bodied before the surgeries..now, I am permaently on sedentary restrictions.
I am losing my job( after 5 1/2 yrs) because of the permanent sedentary work restrictions. I am so tired of dealing with the medical profession, WC, and Corp.
The WC court battle and fight from pain relief has not yet really began.
I wil be 50 yrs. old in September,’08. I never thought that I would have to deal with such a nightmare.I have a wonderful hubby and son, for support. I just want to be, ME..again. The positive, happy go lucky gal…
One day at a time 
Thanks for letting me vent.
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