Unless you have a very obvious surgical problem, it usually takes two to three months for the adjuster on your worker’s compensation claim to schedule a consultation with an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon. I like to remove my clients quickly from the clinic mill, with a request for change of physicians right away. Otherwise, the clinic doctor waits months to request a surgical consultation after physical therapy hasn’t made you better, and after the clinic doctor finally gets a MRI .<\/p>\n
If you have a knee or shoulder injury, the consult is with an orthopedic doctor on the insurer’s provider list. If you have a low back or a neck injury, the consult may be with either an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon. If you or your attorney has not done so already, ask for a copy of the insurer’s provider list, and get help in selecting the best surgeon. Don’t rely on the insurer to choose the best surgeon for the consultation. <\/strong> <\/p>\n Surgeons are very busy, and you want to be prepared to get answers. Copy the questions below and bring them with you, along with your MRI films.<\/p>\n 1. Do you think surgery is necessary?<\/p>\n 2. Can my injury be treated without surgery? <\/p>\n 3. What can go wrong if I get surgery? <\/p>\n 4. If I don’t have surgery, will my condition get worse? <\/p>\n 5. How long do you expect me to be off work after surgery?<\/p>\n 6. Do you think I will be able to go back to my regular job, or will I have permanent work restrictions? <\/p>\n You are entitled to get a copy of the surgeon’s dictated report by requesting it from your adjuster, or ask the surgeon’s office directly. It takes about a week to ten days for the report to be dictated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Unless you have a very obvious surgical problem, it usually takes two to three months for the adjuster on your worker’s compensation claim to schedule a consultation with an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon. I like to remove my clients quickly from the clinic mill, with a request for change of physicians right away. Otherwise, the clinic … Continue reading Questions You Absolutely Must Ask the Surgeon<\/span>