MA - Advice needed for sacral nerve damage, light duty and possible scare tactic????

Massachusetts

Quick summary. Work injury aug 2024. Herniated L4-5. Nerves compressed for 7 months before surgery was approved. Microdisectomy April 17, 2025. 5 days later emergency laminectomy to fix spinal fluid leak.

6 months later....left side weakness, foot drop, sacral nerve damage with neurogenic bladder, saddle numbness, sexual dysfunction. Nerve pain that just doesn't want to stop (I'm aware it can take 1 to 2 years to heal). PTSD with severe anxiety over safety. Any quick jerk or uneven ground causes sharp Stabbing pain. People with shopping carriages 🤣🤣

Returned to work in September; 4 hrs a day light duty. I drive a trash truck so just hanging in the office. I know my surroundings and if I did need assistance, I have coworkers that could help. Still get very weak by the end of shift and loose my balance/trip. Another light duty worker was just notified about being sent offsite for volunteer work. Now I'm a little nervous bcz I feel safe where I am. I'm trying very hard to return to the job I love. Do I have options if I'm sent offsite?

Any advice is welcome. And anyone here return 100% with similar surgery and complications?

Posted Oct 6, 2025, 12:35 PM UTC

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