Auto Accident

[SandySo]

Hi,

Has anyone been in an auto accident after their operation?

I just recently got into one... Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 2 blocks from my home. My car was T-boned by a woman who failed to stop at a stop sign and my car spun out of control hitting a nearby telephone pole. I have filed a claim with my auto insurance and her auto insurance...

I am only 5 months post-operation... Prior to the car accident, my back pain was less and I stopped taking pain killers. However, after the car accident, back pain has increased, especially in areas where my rods are in place, and I feel that it is necessary to go back onto pain killers. I find myself in pain after walking around for 2-3 hours, after sitting upright for long periods, and I am sleeping long hours more than usual. I have a hard time waking up and when I do wake up, I wake to extreme pain and discomfort as well.

My orthopedic surgeon does not accept Personal Injury Protection (PIP) patients, but being that he is the one who would know my condition better than anyone else, I feel like he would be the right candidate. Regardless, he has always been opposed to chiropractors and physical therapy, and the reception said that she will find out come Tuesday whether to examine me as a PIP patient, which doesn't make any sense if I have to see him for my 6 month post-operation evaluation anyways?

I feel like I am stuck in a bind... Any suggestions on how I should go about with the aftermath? Legal matter? Health concerns and precautions?

[Karen Ocker]

auto accident

I definitely would see the spinal surgeon no matter what; that visit should be covered under your surgical post-op management because it is in the first year. Maybe going through the insurance company for medical treatment is not the best idea. I would seek legal advice in your matter for sure. The integrity of your spine is the priority here. You are still healing.

I fell down the stairs and was black and blue on my trunk for weeks. I was very sore but nothing was damaged regarding my surgery--- but that was 4 years post op.

I find chiropractors come out of the woodwork regarding car accidents like vultures.They stand a lot to gain from the reimbursements. I personally would be afraid to be touched by a chiro with hardware in place because the unfused parts of the spine are more vulnerable to disc damage.

[Shari]

Hi Sandy,

Take Karen's advice. And Linda R. might chime in with some too.

I can't even imagine how tramatic that was for you!!! Once I started driving again that was one of my biggest fears. Take your meds, and I hope the asshole the hit you has good insurance!!! You shouldn't have to responsible for any of the medical bills!!!

I hope you feel better soon!!! And I hope it didn't affect your healing process!!!

You will be in my thoughts, and let us know what is going on with you!!!

Shari

[Janet]

Sandy,

Sorry to hear that this happened to you, esp. so soon after your surgery.

I strongly recommend that you get legal representation by an experienced personal injury specialist. You need to find out what the statute of limitations is in your state, because that determines how long you have to actually file a lawsuit to protect your rights.

Once you are represented by an attorney, you can tell the insurance companies' claims represesentatives to speak to your attorney; the claims reps will contact you asking you to sign off on various documents "so you may receive benefits quicker" but what they really are doing is trying to get you to admit to things that are to their benefit, not yours. Do not sign anything without first discussing with your attorney.

When I was rear-ended, the other driver's ins co claimed that I could not possibly have suffered such pain from soft-tissue injury because my "car's rear bumper showed very little damage" But imported cars are over-engineered to absorb a lot of shock before the bumper collapses. The other driver admitted to driving at 25 mph and to not slowing down when she drove into me, yet her ins. co. tried to make it sound as if I were faking my pain! Do not believe anything the ins. co's tell you.

Best of luck.

Janet

[rainbow2010]

I had one 20+ years after my surgery. Get them to compare current xrays with post-op xrays to make sure of no rod movement. Keep track of all doctors visits and get a good lawyer. It may not seem like much right now but it can take a couple of years to recover from an accident. I was t-boned and my car spun 180 degrees. I had pain on and off for over two years from it. I went through a couple of rounds of physical therapy over the course of two years. They think my rod had moved. I was unable to get my post-op xrays, so I couldn't prove it.

Heads-up to everyone - get and keep a set of post-op xrays in case you are in an accident!

[SandySo]

I met with my orthopedic surgeon today after going through the hassle of scheduling 2 appointments for 1.) 6-month post-operation evaluation and 2.) PIP (because the scheduling coordinator cancelled my original appointment since she misunderstood plain English of the phrase, "Go ahead and schedule my 6-month appointment and follow-up with me for another PIP appointment).

I wrote to him last week about how displeased with the level of attention he is giving me as a patient and also about the level of professionalism his administrative staff lacks...

Today's visit was quick. He said the pain that I am experiencing is from what he believes a torn muscle and that my back is "perfect." So, I asked him, "Has my rods shifted?" He stated that my rods did not shift and pulls out a pre-operation x-ray stating that he has previously mentioned that my body will experience a lot of pain during the rehabilitation process and that my body went through a very great structural change.

Did he even compare post-operational x-rays with the most current x-ray that he took today? Nope because all the x-rays were and sitting on the table in its folder! No comparison at all...

My visit was short and like any other visit, I walked out feeling less confident in my surgeon...

Sucks, huh?

[Janet]

Sandy,

Can you obtain copies of the radiologist's reports from the post-op x-ray and the very recent one? These reports can be very informative and might point out whether a change was observed.

It may also be time for you to have a consultation with a different ortho surgeon, possibly one who does accept PI patients.

Please keep us posted on what's happening.

Janet

[rainbow2010]

Demand a set of post-op xrays. They are your records and by law you are entitled to have a copy of them. (The doctor's office is allowed to charge a small amount for them.) Once you get them, I would find another doctor and get another opinion.

[laurieg6]

I've never had fusion surgery or scoliosis but I did have a car accident 3 1/2 years ago. I was rear-ended by a kid who wasn't paying attention. It caused me terrible neck & back pain that lasted at least a couple of years. I got whiplash & a herniated disc in my neck. I've just recently started to feel totally back to normal.

I'm so sorry you have had this happen you so soon after major back surgery. I can't even imagine what you must be going through with the pain. You really need to find a Dr. who has experience with car accidents & subsequent pain. Also, a great Personal Injury lawyer is critical. If you can't find a good Dr., maybe find a good lawyer who recommend one. Whatever you do, don't speak to the insurance companies anymore (yours or the other person's). Your lawyer needs to be your voice. The insur. co's just want to pay out as little as possible. Although in your situation, I don't know how they could minimize the impact this is having on you.

As far as pain management goes, what helped me the most were therapeutic massages. I also got acupuncture, ultrasound & laser treatments (part of my chiropractic care) for the pain. I recently started seeing a new acupuncturist for stress management - to help me cope with my son's upcoming surgery. This person told me to bring my son to her after his surgery & she could do treatments in his hands to help his back heal faster. I don't know if your health insurance covers "alternative" treatments such as this (mine does) but many practitioners have sliding scales for payments. If you can find a D.O. (Dr. of Osteopathy) who does craniosacral massages that might be covered by your insurance since DO's are fully licensed physicians. Craniosacral massages are very gentle & may be able to help get things flowing & healing better in your back.

I'm not sure how soon you can do any of these treatments after a fusion. But I wish you the best of luck with finding all the treatments & practitioners you need to help you feel better as soon as possible.