Asking for help with WC

[Guest guest]

I have been treating a 28 year old man with a WC lumbar disc injury

dating from September 2009. He was put into the usual system (Yes, Vern,

he is writing you a letter) and had no hands on care before or after 2

failed back surgeries. He was lying down about 23 hours a day. I started

treating him in May 2010, and in conjunction with a wonderful PT, he has

decreased his pain meds from 8 a day to 2 a day. He has made significant

improvement and wants to begin training for future employment.

He fired his original MD when he was given a choice between seeing a

different neurosurgeon or going to a chronic pain clinic. His attorney

recommended a DO who then became his primary treating physician. She

referred him back to me as well as to the PT, recently increasing PT to

3 times a week and decreasing my work to every other week. She was told

(I think) that he could not receive retraining through WC until he was

declared medically stationary. Although she knew he was a long way form

being medically stationary, she declared him to be and said he could

lift 10 pounds frequently and 25 pounds occasionally (he can't),

feeling he couldn't get work unless he could do that much. So his claim

has been closed and now he gets NO care! He has also been denied

retraining. He is discouraged and more depressed. I am frustrated.

His claim needs to be reopened and he needs further care and retraining.

His injury was 16 months ago and that seems to be all the doctors look at.

Please help me find a new doctor who will support his recovery and allow

him to continue receiving both PT and chiropractic care, as well as

receive retraining. He lives in the greater Portland area.

Many thanks for your input.

Joan Schultze, DC

Lake Oswego