SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY

[MOLLYDOG]

Greetings: I am scheduled for surgery on right wrist and elbow for carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve compression. The doc here tells the Work Comp folks I will be back at work part time in 3 weeks. Does that sound right to you folks, seems a bit quick to me? Thanks in advance!

[NancyH]

That's hardly possible with just cts! I'm 2 weeks post op of the ct and ulnar decompression, I'm still in stitches (coming out this tuesday)some fingers are still numb and I still don't have good finger range of motion, I hardly doubt I could go to work right now. Granted this was a 3.5 hr surgery cuz of all the scar tissue but if wc had ok'd the surgery back in 2001 it wouldn't be this way now. I think the Dr is assuming you will heal on the run.

[lidia09]

Hi Mollydog
Being from the UK I don't know anything about Workers Comp personally but have 'met' people on a cts message board from the USA (unfortunately can't name the site). Many people seem to be pushed back to work quickly & often inappropriately I think. Depends really on what your job is though. I just read a post from a teacher who went back to work a few days after surgery & is doing fine. If you're required to type all day long, I'd say that returning to that job at all, ever, would more than likely mean you'd never be free of cts symptoms.

Best wishes for a good recovery!
Lidia

[MOLLYDOG]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great advice! I will be sure not to let the work comp folks push me around. I truly hope this helps my arm quit hurting all the time either that or I am going to just have an armectomy and have the darn thing removed! Thanks again. KC

[Katiepops]

Depends on where you live. Here in Arkansas at Tyson Foods on workmans comp you have the surgery and go to work THE NEXT DAY and they put you on light duty. It depends on your job but my mother works in office and was back to work in 3 weeks after nerve compression and ct. and also a torn rotator cuff surgery. (Separate times) so yes it is feasible have seen lots of folks do it.
I am prone to carpal tunnel I have had it severly twice when working in factories both times I denied surgery and was fortunate enough to quit and find other jobs that did not have repetitive motion and the problem corrected itself both times surgery free. While I know that is not an option for alot of folks it sure beats the surgery and the scars. Also it WILL come back if you go right back to doing what caused it in the first place so it is redundant to get the surgery. My mom has it back already and only been 9 months since surgery.


[This message has been edited by Katiepops (edited 05-20-2003).]