I was working in a restaurant and was throwing a bag of trash into the dumpster. I immediately felt pain in my shoulder. I assumed it was just a pulled muscle. By the time I got home that night, the pain was excruciating.
I went to urgent care, but they just put me in a sling and gave me medication. Nothing worked so I went to physical therapy, which also didn’t work. It was around this time I knew it was serious. It was also when my relationship with my employer became strained. I went to an orthopedic surgeon and had an MRI. The doctor speculated it might be bicep tendonitis and recommended surgery. I just went along with it because I have never been in a situation like this.
After the surgery, the pain didn’t go away. I felt like I was treated differently because I was injured at work. No one was taking me seriously. All I wanted to do was get better. So after my physical therapist made the recommendation, I decided to reach out to Allen & Allen. They helped so much. When my physical therapy was delayed due to authorization issues with the workers’ compensation insurance, I developed frozen shoulder, which was debilitating. When Elyse got on the case, change started happening. Because I was misdiagnosed and had an unsuccessful surgery, the physical therapy and pain management weren’t working. I just wanted to be free of pain. I was hurting so badly that I couldn’t sleep or work.
With Elyse and her team on the case, things started getting sorted out. My physical therapist mentioned the possibility of thoracic outlet syndrome vs. complex regional pain syndrome. Thanks to Allen & Allen, I was finally able to see the correct type of orthopedic specialist. I also learned a lot of things about my rights. I had options! Elyse also dealt with my claims adjuster and took care of my medical records. I had a second surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome (which required rib removal). Afterward, the surgeon told me I had textbook thoracic outlet syndrome. After years of problems, I am finally getting better and healing.
Having Elyse and Brittney on the case made my life so much better. Jessica helped too. They were amazing through the process, even if I just called to complain and cry, which I definitely did! I was so defeated. I was ready to give up on healing and accept that I couldn’t work again. They did not let that happen! Elyse knew all the doctors and where I could get the best treatment in town. It honestly would have been unbearable to get through this process without them. I am so grateful for them!
