Retirement ill health?

C

Chips

New member
I had a lurabar fusion op in February. I am still in pain and have a lot of stiffness. I lock up if I stand in one position or bend.


I work as a teacher. I dont think I will be able to continue to do so

Am I likley to have a strong case for retirement on ill health grounRAB. I am 53?
 
Your doctor will tell you that you need to give recovery 6 months to 1 year to see how much you are helped. My surgeon feels 2 years is more appropriate.

Give it at least 6 months. You aren't even fused completely yet. They tell you 3 months to take off any brace you are wearing but in reality, it takes 6 months plus and since fused bone is weaker than real bone, a year is not unrealistic.

Give it time....this is major surgery.

Jenny
 
I had an L3-S1 fusion in February and my doctor said the basic recovery is 6 months and total recovery may be 12 months or beyond. I have cervical spine problems and knee problems as well so I have been on my employer's Long Term Disability (LTD) for quite a while and am now applying for SSDI.

Just to know what you are dealing with, figure out what benefits you may have such as STD, LTD and disability retirement.
 
You are only 4 months out. You didn't say how many levels you had done. It's not uncommon to still be using pain meRAB...You didn't say if you are back at work. IF you are, then I would imagine that you would be on a steady med regimen until summer break so you can relax and heal.

I wouldn't think that you would qualify for disability at this point. I had a three level fusion and my back broke the day after the surgery. I spent a week with them getting me up to walk twice a day with a broken back. When my surgeon finally returned from a conference he took x-rays and I was then facing another 6 hours under the knife after my first 8 hour surgery. I was out of work for 5 months, but am back with the knowledge that I will live in some degree of constant pain for the rest of my life.....and I'm not disabled. And I'm 58. You need to give yourself time. My surgeon told me at least 6 months for fusion and a year to heal fully.

Are you doing stretching exercising and walking? That is the best to help the healing. You should try some water therapy also. That helps get rid of the stiffness. I did it twice a week for two months.

Hang in there, it will get better.
 
It's possible you may qualify for disability. Many STD and LTD policies can be used for a short time if needed.

I went out of work in late April 09 and after a 7 day waiting period, during which I used PTO, my STD was approved. After that was exhausted, at 26 weeks, my LTD was approved.

So it pays to check out what benefits may be available if you've gone without pay since February. if there are short term disability benefits at work you may qualify.
 
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