The worker presented with an inability to bend his left leg after feeling a pop in his knee while working. He was diagnosed with a torn meniscus.
We got the referral just five days after the date of injury. We identified a qualified orthopedic surgeon and coordinated the care locally in an area with limited access to knee specialists. The injury was deemed to be the worsening of a pre-existing meniscal tear, as seen on his MRI. Initial treatment included a steroid injection, physical therapy, and a knee brace. After no improvement, the surgeon then recommended a full knee replacement, which was deemed to be a medical issue, not a work-related issue because of the pre-existing meniscal tear. The physician opined permanency for the work injury at a 2% loss for whole body impairment. The case was referred to his primary health insurance for coverage of future treatment, effectively mitigating the claim exposure.
The worker returned to his job just over a month after Paradigm’s intervention. The savings for avoidance of wage replacement costs was $7,200; avoidance of knee replacement and associated medical costs and future care was estimated at $35,000.
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