Hi, I am a dental hygienist and currently off of work due with Work Safe from to a repetitive work injury to my right shoulder since Dec/20. I had 3
cortisone injections, attended a rehab program with a failed attempt of work. I ended up with other issues such as putting out my pelvis due to my limited range of my right arm. I was off again and had surgery spring of last year in which 8 months later with continued physiotherapy am only at the pre surgery stage according to my family Dr and physio clinical exams. I now have nerve pain in top of limited range. I have also developed depression due to the ongoing constant pain with limitations still present. My family Dr has been trying to treat me for depression and get my pain management under control. The surgeon saw me post op and checked only one range of motion and said I need to work through “severe pain rating of 12”
Then he proceeded with another MRI and had a televisit only clearing me to return back to work as the MRI was wnl to post surgery finding. He did not have any answers for me when I asked him why my range was limited still and my pain which now also involves nerve pain. Prior to surgery I had to sign a consent that there is no guarantee and nerve damage could occur. This was not addressed. He only gave me option on another cortisone injection which the first 3 had little to no relieve and hence I proceeded with surgery as a last resort. Decompression surgery was done, bicep tendosis, slap tear and synovectomy. This was more than what showed in the MRI pre surgery and he told me at post op that the MRI does not show much. Now post surgery MRI done due to symptoms he cannot explain but cleared to start a “light duties”. I am a dental hygienist and there are no light duties. I also have tendinitis still present which has gone from
Mod to now mild-mid. If I do not have proper movement and range of my shoulder I don’t know how I am to preform my job. My family and physio agree that I still have limitations and the Dr has indicated that I am no easy to get back to work. The depression aspect has also been ignored by the adjuster. I have been unable to sleep due to the chronic pain and which is affecting me physically and mentally. My Dr has tried a few antidepressant and pain meds with me but have had adverse affects and antidepressants have made things worse. At this point the adjuster is telling me we are at the end of this claim and he is setting up a GRTW over 6 weeks and told me that they are going by the surgeons report and I have to work through severe pain as indicated. Told me that this over rides my family MD. When I asked why is my mental health not being addressed and am I supposed to get independent help for this the reply was “ I will provided counselling of 5 sessions for you”. My family MD has this well documented and it appears they are choosing to ignore this and if I did not address the support I would not be provided with it. I need to know what my options are as I feel I am being bullied to get back to work when I do not feel ready which is supported by my family MD. I am not able to function my daily activities physically and my mental status is has worsened. Please help to advise where do I go from here?