Herniated disc and work restriction

[AnnieNHRN]

I am recovering from a herniated disc L5-S2 injury (not work related). Have been off of work for the last 2 weeks and got the OK from my neurosurgeon to go back to my Med/Surg job with a 30 lbs lifting restriction. I will be seeing employee health tomorrow to hopefully get the OK to get back to work. They said it would be up to my boss if she would allow me to work with lifting restrictions. Yikes!?! Can she refuse to let me return to work? Has anyone gone through this? How should I play this? Should I get my union involved?

Thanks

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Maybe it's an insurance problem, but I never bothered with an internist or rheumatologist for my back and neck problems. I went strait to a spinal surgeon, who referred me to his partner (a pain doc) for injections after he ordered an MRI that showed multiple disc herniations and bulges.

Years later with new problems (4 herniated discs in neck and back which are now causing intractable numbness), I have been referred to a neurosurgeon, who states that surgery appears to be indicated, but will order a new MRI as the last one is 3 months old.

Maybe if you went to a doctor who specializes in spinal problems, you could make better progress?