Will I be able to return to this type of work. I'm a Certified Nursing Assistant,age 55 and got injury moving patient 2months ago. I'm on workman compensation now and scheduled to have 3 steroid spinal injections to relieve the pain. I also have numbness in both arms and pain that radiates down both legs when I sit or lay down. I'm on 3 different pain med's and muscle relaxant.

The MRI Impression showed:
1. Minimal degenerative anterolisthesis at L4-5
2. Minimal posterior disc bulging at L1-2, L3-4 and L4-5
3. Mild lower lumbar facet hypertrophy consistent with osteoarthritis

I'm overweight by 100 lbs so I've reduced my diet cause I know I've got to help myself and get rid of the pounds as It's hard for me to lift myself out of the car or around bathroom functions. Thanks in advance

The MRI shows some lumbar problems, did they do an MRI of the cervical spine to check for the cause of the arms problems??

Any neck pain or tightness?
Have they/you tried any PT or massage therapy for any of it?

My MRI Says the images were obtained through the lumbar spine using various T1 and T2 Weighted sequences and the patient was imaged in a neutral sitting position. No focal disc herniation, the spinal canal and neural foramina are not stenotic at any level. The conus medullaris is normal.

I do get sharp pain sometimes in my mid-back and some tightness in my neck but major pains are in lumbar back. I did PT the 1st week for 3 days but nothing else. I saw the orthopedic doc who reviewed the mri and scheduled me for the injections

So sorry for the troubles with your lumbar spine. I have cervical issues and had two major fusions. Had the NP like you do. I also knew I had to loose the weight. I can help boost your spirits on that count. I lost the weight to take the stress off my back and my deterioating ankles. The weight loss helped with the pain in my neck and from the osteoarthritis in my body. I would be glad to help you in any way I can in that and offer support. Get plenty of opinions of your spine before you do any surgery if you can. Even though I had the surgery there is still some left over pain, and I won't be 100%. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Thank you and I will definately accept your advise on the weight loss issue. I've started tracking my food intake and eliminating somethings I know I can't control and substituting other foods for healthier choices. I'm going to contact my doctor tomorrow and get referral for a neurologist which may be best before I start getting those steroid shots to make sure no permanent nerve damage. I have problem moving my legs in the morning along with spasms.

So you only got 3 days worth of PT????
Was that all the dr allowed or all that wc allowed?

You really should be getting more PT to see it it can help or not, hopefully a good one should be of help.

Is your claim accepted so far?
Is the treating doctor yours or a wc appointed dr?
If WC stops working with you - or things get too complicated consult/interview some wc attys - don't sign with the first one -check them out after talking w/them, some are better than others.

Work comp is a tricky animal, and lots of rules to follow, you might read on our workers comp forum as well as your state website in the work comp section.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html

Did you have any previous health issues or injuries before this one?

Be sure to mention the arm numbness as a symptom and be sure it is added on to the claim paperwork.- or they will only focus on the lumbar and it may leave you with unaddressed arm problems down the road.

The arm numbness could be from the neck itself or some other upper body strain, but it could become a chronic thing so don't overlook it.

I did mention the arm numbness and burning pain in back to the wc doctor and also on the mri paperwork. WC is currently paying me, doctor cost and the case mgr & nurse never return calls so I just deal with the doctors who have gotten approval for the steroid injection. He said he wants to try this before sending me back to PT. I did contact the wc doctor this am regarding burning pain in abdomin, I think it may be groine hernia and they said I should stop taking meloxicam which is for inflamation and take omeprazole am 30 min before eating and to contact my family doc to test me for ulcers. I have had back issues and have regularly gone to a chiropractor at a school near me where the services are free for over 50 folks. I havent been since I hurt myself in sept, just waiting to see how this works out and I also have fibromyalgia and regularly went to aqua areobics but have only been once since the accident.

As long as they are paying & working with you , you should be oK.
But at some point often they will try to close the claim or eventually deny and that's is when you need to know of a good wc atty.
wc will try to blame the ongoing pain & problems onto your age /weight/ previous health issues etc..

It's just how it goes unless you happen to have a very special case worker, but they all get pressured to close it sooner or later.
Be prepared for it.


Been thru some of it...multiple repetitive strain injuries over the years when working..

I got the steroid injection on nov 7th, just a little relief but most pain still present. Doc will see me in 2 weeks and decide what the next step will be.

Jo Mar is correct. You may also need an MRI of your cervical neck. I was under the impression that arm pain relates to the cervical area, and leg pain, buttocks, feet, lower down, are due to lower issues of the back. No disk buldging is a good thing. There are others who know far more than I do. Keep posting and someone will try to help you. Seek not just an orthopedic person, but a neurologist as well. I got several opinions before I had my second cervical fusion. I wish you all the best and I hope you get the help you need. I can also help spur you on with weight loss. I lost 65 pounds, because I was terrified of not being able to get around. I can offer some help there. I had tried all diets all my life and finally figured it out. Your right, taking weight off your back will help you regardless of what the tests show. My ankles also broke down, and taking the weight off saved me from a wheelchair. Still take pain pills, but it is now managable. Hope you find the help you need. I will be thinking of you. Tap back if I can help in any way. ginnie