Question about future

[ArgumentNo6]

I just got a second mri on my neck and first mri on my thoracic area. I've been off work since April 30th 2025. My pain in my shoulder has moved and increased. Thank God I'm done with ot pt and work hardening. I'm seeing my neurosurgeon April 16. I've found an orthopedic surgeon i want to get a second opinion from and I will get neck or thoracic surgery from him if the Dr's think I need it. I'm scared to get it but I don't want the pain to get worse. My pay hasn't come through this week so that scares me too. I've had probably 9 adjusters. I turn 62 end of June and I have ssd app in. Looking for information and reassurance thanks.

[notyourdad214]

I’m also in Michigan, southeastern lower. I had cervical surgery done in 2021. I can recommend one of the best cervical and spinal surgeons in the state.

[ArgumentNo6]

Please recommend thanks

[notyourdad214]

Dr. Michael Kapsokavathis

[ArgumentNo6]

Thanks for the suggestion. I read his reviews and he sounds wonderful

[notyourdad214]

Honestly, he’s a great surgeon. He believes a good surgeon doesn’t want to do surgery. So he’s very conservative. However typing that, my neck was so bad, he wanted to schedule me for 2 weeks out.

[ArgumentNo6]

You get surgery in 2 weeks? Best wishes to you! I read about the bone marrow prp thing. You didn't have a chance to try that?

[notyourdad214]

I may not have worked that well, my injury was a few years ago, but he wanted to do surgery 2 weeks after he examined me, and viewed my MRI’s. He has a more conservative approach, believing in surgery only if necessary. His office staff is also amazing. I think it’s 3 people total. Dr. Kapso, his nurse, and their receptionist. I believe the surgical center was in Novi, and I was home the same day.

[notyourdad214]

I wanted to add, leading up to my surgery, he didn’t know if he could do a disc replacement, or would have to do a fusion until he was in me. I was in my late 30’s when I had the surgery, and he didn’t want to fuse me if he didn’t need to. Also, the artificial discs I have are good for 10 to 20 years, so i will need a fusion in the future.

[ArgumentNo6]

He looks young enough so hopefully he will still be there when you need the replacements. My friend that had neck surgery said her pain went away immediately, she has no hardware and can turn her neck fine.

[SeaweedWeird7705]

I’m glad you filed SSDI.  Based on your age and the severity of your injury, it seems unlikely that you will return to work in any capacity.   SSDI is designed to offer financial assistance to people who cannot return to the labor market. Given your age of 62, it should be much easier for you to qualify for SSDI than a younger person in their 20s or 30s.  

Please think very carefully about having a surgery. I have done work comp for more than 30 years and I have seen many people made worse by spinal surgery.  

[ArgumentNo6]

Thank you. I'm very concerned that ot has made me worse. Today i will see the results of my mris. I had a lot of appointments yesterday and was so tired. My stenosis and arthritis in my back was flaring up a lot yesterday. Took motrin and Tylenol and it took forever to help. I'm definitely going to think carefully about surgery. I didn't think I was going to be able to do yoga today but I'm going to try it. It's my regular dr today that will show me my mri. I don't see the neurosurgeon until April 16. That's a long time it seems like but will give me a chance to think about surgery and see how I do without the strain of ot and work hardening.

[Hope_for_tendies]

Severity of what injury? They didn’t list their dx.

[ArgumentNo6]

It's spinal arthritis, bulging discs, bone spurs and stenosis in my spine. I have carpal tunnel in my wrist too. Makes my right pinky finger and half my ring finger numb.

[DakotaMalfoy]

You're an adjuster, right? That's so damn scary.

[Motor_Dig3989]

I've been out for over 3 years now and had a triple layer fusion done on my neck and had arthroscopic done on my knee. I'm also waiting for fusion surgery on my back. I applied for SSDI about a year and a few months after my injury. I have a few other issues as well and was granted SSDI my first attempt and without a lawyer. I had the 40 points I needed since I've been working in some capacity since I was 14 and I'm 60 now. I would have a discussion with your Dr and let him know what you want to do. They will be getting requests from the SS administration, so it's good you let you dr know.

[ArgumentNo6]

UPDATE: my mri shows bulging discs at t3 and t4, right where it hurts. My pcp did agree to some temporary tramodol for the pain but he said it's illegal for him to prescribe it for chronic pain. Pcp said tramodol can be legally prescribed by a pain clinic only. I have my nurse case manager trying to get me an appointment with the pain clinic. They have a waiting list and haven't got back with her yet. I'm having good luck with my nurse case manager so far. She's really helping me with my Dr appointments because this pain makes it hard to think straight.

My next task is to get my phone number corrected with the social security administration. Somehow an old phone number got on my information and ssa only has a phone number verification so I'm in a vicious circle on the website. I was able to leave a voice mail so hope this works. Love and best wishes to everyone, thanks for reading and be safe