Muscle tear treatment and complications?

Question

I injured my arm in the area of my elbow at work about 7 weeks ago and have been off work since. I finally got an MRI done about 2 weeks ago which showed 2 muscle tears, considerable edema and a hematoma. None of this seems to be getting much better. The hematoma is still rather large, pain is persistent and now the bone just below my elbow seems almost bowed out and the skin over this section of bones appears very light, it's almost as though the bone is protruding. I keep being told by the primary care doctors that I need to see an orthopedist, but workers comp has yet to authorize it. I have been given no instructions on how to care for this injury, nor have I been given an estimate of healing time. There was no opinion on why the bone suddenly looks and feels the way it does either. Also, what might an orthopedic doctor do to treat injuries like this? Any clue, anyone?Thanks!

I don't have insurance or an attorney.

Answer 1

Get your Work Comp atty on the stick - you need an orthopedic surgeon to look at you. If your primary care physician can recommend one, use your regular insurance and go before it gets worse. At the end of the Work Comp suit, the defense insurance company will have to reimburse your insurance for the specialist and anythings that he recommends. DO NOT LET THE INSURANCE CO destroy your arm....ask your atty if the insurance company has "accepted" the injury. If they have done the AOE/COE and determined the injury is industrial, they are just taking their sweet time. Whomever you have as your PTP (Primary Treating Physician) will write a prescription to see an orthopedic surgeon.....they all take green liens and will see you.