Employee statement
Name
SSN#
February 11, 2002

Current Complaint:
I noticed severe stabbing pain in my right hip area approx January 19, 2002. I complained to co-workers and supervisors about the hip pain. I worked 10 more days before seeking treatment from my doctor. My legs often ache in other areas, but the stabbing pain is located in my right hip and extends down toward my right knee on the outside of my thigh. I tried to treat it myself with ibuprophen and muscle relaxers. I just assumed it was the usual aches and pains that go along with working a very physical job. I thought the symptoms would resolve in a few days. I was wrong. I�ve been off work since January 29, 2002.

I am not in great shape. I had left knee surgery in 2001 and my body was still recovering from that when I injured my right hip. I favored my left leg for a few years before the surgery and had to put a lot of stress on my right leg after the knee surgery. I relied more on my right leg to take the bulk of the load. I was able to function at work until I was given a more physical job - standing on my feet 5-6 hours a shift. My right hip/leg just seemed to give out and the stabbing pain started then became intolerable.

Each day it became more difficult to work. I took prescription medications to help with the pain, but by the end of the day, I had to take small baby steps to leave the premises. I could barely get up from a sitting position when taking a break or my lunch. The pain was so severe I would have to stand in one place for several minutes before I could even take a tiny step.

I went to my doctor on January 30, 2008 and he diagnosed me with right hip tendonitis.

Work History: I began my career in 1990. I started working in an area performing manual labor type duties.

My current position involves working with large pieces of equipment full or partially full of mail. I would take trays from one piece of equipment and sort and/or consolidate into other trays or pieces of equipment. This is called prepping the mail (for the next stage of processing). I would often have to do this at a quick pace, handling almost 100 trays and several large pieces of equipment each night.

When I wasn't performing this task, I was sorting large flat envelopes into small tubs for several hours a day on my feet. This particular position is not as demanding to the upper body but was still challenging to me because of the standing.

Past claims: I filed a claim for bilateral carpal tunnel and it was accepted. Both wrists have had surgery and are doing fine.

The above statement is to the best of my knowledge.


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