Back Injury and Work Comp :(

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Hi everyone,

I'm in my 20s and in nursing school. I have been working as a CNA in neuro ICU over 2 years. We have a lot of patients with traumatic brain injuries and are completely sedated that they are deadweight and patients who are down on one side or both sides. I have 9 patients assigned to me every shift, and there are times I'm assigned 18 patients. (It's crazy). I'm turning and boosting patients constantly and it's killing my back! I hurt my back and it has been painful the past 3 months. I went down to employee health, and they told me it's a muscle issue. I went to see a PT and chiropractor and they both have told me they think it's my disc. My lower back hurts a lot even walking, standing, sitting and lifting and my right leg is often numb. I also feel tingling in my right toes. Despite all these, my employer tells me that it's my muscle and that I don't need to get an MRI. They advised me to continue with PT and take 3 advils every 6 hours. But taking advils don't help much. And my manager hasn't been responsive with my injury either. What should I do?

Thanks

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It sounds like you have nerve involvement. I would ask your chiropractor/HCP to order you an X-ray. I don't know how your insurance works, but most want this first.

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Specializes in Nephrology/Dialysis.

I hope that you filed a report that you injured your back. I have had 3 back surgeries and each time I thought I might have re-injured it I filed another report.

I does sound like you have nerve involvement and I would see either a neurologist or an orthopedist who can actually diagnose what is happening to you. HR does not know whether it is a muscle or a disc - so get to someone who can give you a diagnosis. And if you have not filed an injury report, I would do so now.

Being in the dialysis field, I would caution about too many advil - it can seriously hurt your kidneys. An MD can give you something that may work better for you in the long run. You may need additional PT but without a diagnosis they don't know what to treat! You are young to have these issues and you need to take care of yourself first.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Previous posters are correct. You absolutely need a confirmed diagnosis from the correct practitioner. That means correct testing and correct prescribed therapy to remedy. And make sure you complete an incident for any injury you experience.

50 minutes ago, rhyde said:

Being in the dialysis field, I would caution about too many advil - it can seriously hurt your kidneys. An MD can give you something that may work better for you in the long run. You may need additional PT but without a diagnosis they don't know what to treat! You are young to have these issues and you need to take care of yourself first.

NSAID and steroid usage ABSOLUTELY must be monitored. Take it from someone who knows. TY to PP rhydepp for bringing this up.

Since you are NOT satisfied with your current care plans, seek out care that will address your issues. Then take it to the next level with your employer.

You need to take care of yourself NOW. You're too young to have such issues that will ultimately affect your school practicums and future professional career.

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Hi guys

thanks for all your advice. HR has a nurse practitioner and that’s who told me it’s just muscle issue even though I complained about my leg numbness and tingling. I saw my PCP and got an MRI done. We found out that I have a small Tarlov cyst. I haven’t got to talk to any doctor about the finding but it seems that my cyst became symptomatic due to heavy lifting at work despite it being small to be symptomatic. I’m going to talk to my PCP first and talk to HR.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I hope you filed a workers comp claim when you first got injured. Even so employers have been known to delay and deny treatment to save money. An MRI will prove it is more serious than they want to know. You need to get a workers comp lawyer. Once you do that the MRI will be approved and your lawyer will make sure you get the care you need, including light duty and any other treatments you may need and are entitled to such as an epidural if necessary.

Also I would get out of that job as all that lifting, turning will only exacerbate your back issues. I hope your fellow coworkers are helping you with the patients and that you have a hover mat to help move people.

Take care of yourself! Hope you feel better soon.

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