In November of 08 while at work in the hospital. I tried opening a door in doing so my thumb became lodged between the knob and the lock. This resulted me hearing what sounded like a popping sound, instant swelling, server pain my thumb looked deformed. My wrist hurt like hell as well. Immediately I reported the injury and was seen in the ER. In the ER I had x-rays taken the physician was not satisfied with just plane film and wrote that a MRI was needed as well. After speaking with workers comp. The flat out rejected me having the MRI, rejected any pain medication and was told that they only ok one doctors visit.
I was very upset and in a a lot of pain. After seeing the doctor was place in a splint with light duty restrictions. No patient care, no lifting typing and writing with my no-doment hand (injuried hand)was ok, but nothing else. I was to see the doctor again in two weeks. I gave this paper work to the staffing office at the hospital. Spoke with my nurse manager who then said for me to work as a unit secretary, answering the phone and taking off doctors orders. After being off for my normal six days, I’m a nurses assistant. When I returned to work I was told by my job to do my normal nightly 12 hour shift as a nurses assistant. This was totally against doctors orders. I ask why was I being placed back on the floor with my injury. Was told that’s this is what they had for me to do. That night I had 12 patients to care for, doing my normal duties was very difficult and painful. Two of the patients were on contact precautions isolation meaning full gown and gloves, which I could not place glove over splinted hand. Another patient was combative (violent). This patient stuck me several times on my injured hand. Security was called to subdue the patient. My hand hurt like hell. Knowing I would see the doc that morning ar the end of shift (7:30am) told the manager what happen with my hand and the patient. I went to see the doctor that morning when she looked at my thumb it was very swollen, inflamed, and even more painfull. I told her what happen she then sent me to a Ortho surgeon, who said I had a bad buise said I had a GameKeepers Thumb, still no MRI done. I knew there was more going on then that If that was it at all. My job was given the restrictions for me not to use my left hand at all. I was not place with patient any more but was placed on one most busy floors (Observation Floor) or one day stay I was the unit clerk. My hand hurt and would swell where my fingers look like sauages. After reporting the swelling to the night manager she spoke with the head nurse manager and I was reduced to doin 9 hours shifts for 4 days. This was a decrease in my night differentcal. Repeatedly I had to remind them the staff that only had one hand to work with when given multiple charts to transcribe in the computer. The patient admission and turn over was great. Twice I had to be seen in the ER for pain and swelling. Repeatly I asked workmens comp to place me where I could keep up with the work demands. I have been doing this work since December. If anyone knows what a unit seceary does on a floor that constantly admits, and discharges patients, then you would understand how hard this work is even with two hands. Now I’ve been been placed in a case, physical theropy, and back in a slpint. Still not getting better. Finally Ortho doc requested a MRI wrist and thumb. This was finally okayed by workman comp on March 6, 09. (CT-guided left wrist arthrogram and thumb) After having a 22 gauge needle advanced into the radiocarpol joint gadolinium, omnipaque 240 and lidocaine was instilled into my joint. I was found to have Triangular firocartilage complex tear, probable tear of the luntriquetrial ligament. Degenerative change of the proximal ulnar of the lunate, Degenerative change in the carpometaoarpal joint, and edma. Subchondral cystic chane in the proimal ulnar aspect of the lunate consistent with degerative change. I’m awaiting okay from work comp for surgery to shorten the ulnar bone, and serveral other repairs done as well. My thumb they can do surgery on but I will not be able to move it afterwards which could leads to further injury of that joint. I will have a plate place on my ulnar bone after it is shortened. I was told that I would not be abe to do long term patient care. The other alternative for my thumb was to get coridozone shots in the thumb for how ever long which would be forever but the pain would continue. Either way I will no longer be able to return to patient care! (HEART BROKEN!) In the beginning this was said to be a GameKeepers thumb. Now this is March 13, 09. Do I have a case against my job, placing me back into a dangerous situation, ignoring the docs restrictions, and the manufacture of that door as well. Now just keep in mind I was not the first to be injuried in by this same door. Should I see an attorney, and do I have a case? I’ve been in the medical field sinc
