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Doctor said that scoliosis doesn't progress at my age!

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  • Doctor said that scoliosis doesn't progress at my age!

    Just went to my workman's comp doctor for work, I just learned about my condition about 2 months ago. My doctor referred me to a specialist, who believes that my curve is progressing. My work has sent me to their workman's comp doctor who said that my doctor and the ortho are crazy and at my age, the spine is already fused and will not get worse. He said that I am fine and should return to work. I advised him of the pain and he said that I should stretch a lot before work and during work. Has anybody encounter any doctors who are this ignorant? Funny thing is that I have 3 doctors who have told me that the only thing left for me is surgery.

  • #2
    Originally posted by rich1752 View Post
    Just went to my workman's comp doctor for work, I just learned about my condition about 2 months ago. My doctor referred me to a specialist, who believes that my curve is progressing. My work has sent me to their workman's comp doctor who said that my doctor and the ortho are crazy and at my age, the spine is already fused and will not get worse. He said that I am fine and should return to work. I advised him of the pain and he said that I should stretch a lot before work and during work. Has anybody encounter any doctors who are this ignorant? Funny thing is that I have 3 doctors who have told me that the only thing left for me is surgery.
    Hi Rich,
    A lot of Doctors are ignorant about scoliosis, but this one takes the cake. I wouldn't put much faith in a workman's comp Doctor. The are working for your employer and your employer doesn't want to have to pay out any money to an employee if they don't have to. Isn't workmen's comp supposed to pay for on the job injuries? Do you have short term or long term disability insurance either at your workplace or on your own?
    Good luck, Sally
    Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
    Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
    Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
    Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
    New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
    Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

    "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

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    • #3
      Hi Rich...

      I wouldn't expect a workers comp doctor to know anything about the natural history of curves. I wonder if your problem is that you're trying to get worker's comp to cover something that potentially has nothing to do with a work injury. I think a lot of workers comp doctors just blind deny everything.

      Regards,
      Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Rich
        didnt you say on forum that your curve is already at 48 degrees? isnt that "progressed" enough for them?

        it might help if you got surgeon's opinions in a written report...& more than one..have you gotten a second opinion already?

        the surgeon in nyc that has followed me for more than 5 years told me curves over 40 degrees qualify for surgery...

        best of luck...
        jess

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        • #5
          I'm one of the weird ones,, I had xrays done in 1991 with no curve and then some done two months ago, with a 48 degree curve. In two months, had xrays done again and doctor is now saying 52 degrees. Only positive thing is that in law enforcement any lower back problems is a presumptive injury due to the gun belt. Of course their doctor will say what they want him to say, but I was taken back when he said that curves do not get worse! He said I was fine and can return back to work with no restrictions. I am glad for this website, it has given me a lot of information. thanks to all....

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          • #6
            Hi Rich,

            Run as fast and as far as you can away from this Dr. You need to see someone much more familiar with adult scoliosis. Workman's Comp doctor's are not usually on your side.

            I'm not an expert though!!!

            Good Luck,
            Shari

            Comment


            • #7
              Rich,

              the workman's comp dr. is the crazy one. Many of us here on this forum progressed as adults--it is very common. I hope you can see another workman's comp doctor.
              __________________________________________
              Debbe - 50 yrs old

              Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
              Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

              Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
              Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
              Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

              Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
              Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

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              • #8
                Never put your health in the hands of a workmans comp doctor. Funny how they all attend Med School, however, they always seem to differ in opinion from what your personal Med Practitioner has to say. If i was in your position, I would just let the workmans comp guy check you, but place your health in the hands of someone more knowledgable for your condition.
                Vali
                44 years young! now 45
                Surgery - June 1st, 2009
                Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
                St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
                Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
                Post -op - 5 degrees
                T11 - S1 Posterior
                L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion

                Comment


                • #9
                  Vali,

                  I'll drink to that!!!

                  Shari

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    You should taser some sense into that doctor

                    Good adult scoliosis surgeons seem to be a rare breed, but you will find one if you keep looking.

                    Good luck Rich !
                    45L/40T
                    Surgery 25/1/2010
                    Australia

                    Knowthyself

                    Scoliosis Corrected 25/1/2010 by Dr Angus Gray, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Sydney. Fused T3-L4.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Rich..i know workman's comp doctors are all saying whatever the employer wants...but what are the rules where you work...if you have other opinions from other doctors will your company...or the police dept....accept them...do they only go by what the workman's comp doctor says...???

                      i think about your situation & just dont want to see you get screwed by municipal drones!

                      jess

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Rich,

                        Just curious....did you have an injury causing any herniated discs? Something like that could bring on a progression of a new curve or an existing one. I had scoliosis as a kid and started having trouble 5 years ago before a bodybuidling competition. I had a herniated disc that I felt wasn't from an injury although the first doc thought it must have been. once I saw a neurosurgeon he said it was because of the scoliosis progressing. I never knew at that time that my curve could and would progress. In five years it progressed with most of the progression taking place during pregnancy.

                        Good luck with your situation. Definitely find a good scoliosis surgeon and get checked out. Everyone here is right. Do not leave it to a workers comp doc. Everyones scoliosis is so different you never know what makes certain curves progress or not progress.....hopefully someday they will find out. Take care and good luck.
                        Susan

                        Diagnosed at 10, Boston brace from 11-13 yrs old.
                        50* Lumbar w/ 5 centimeter shift to the left and slight rib hump...
                        Surgery Date: April 15 and April 22, 2009
                        X-LIF approach for disc repair L5,L4,L3,L2
                        Posterior Approach for fusions L5-T5
                        Dr. Fox @ Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
                        Nice and straight now!!!!!

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