I’m 29 and had an L4/L5/S1 microdiscectomy in October 2025. I was told this surgery had a “99% success rate.” I’m that 1%—because I never got better. I got worse. Scar tissue was never even discussed as a risk beforehand.
Now I’m dealing with serious neck issues (C3/C4), including numbness in my pinky and ring finger for over a year, arm tingling, heat sensations, and loss of grip strength. Workers’ comp doctors keep dismissing it as a “neck sprain,” despite clear neurological symptoms.
My surgeon and primary doctor both brushed me off. I was literally told I was “exaggerating,” and when I brought up my neck, I was told, “that’s not what you’re here for.” Meanwhile, I can’t sit longer than 10–15 minutes without my groin and right leg going haywire. I’ve even had episodes of losing bladder control—and they still act like I’m the problem.
On top of all this, they tried to release me to “light duty,” and I was fired just 6 days after filing workers’ comp. HR told me I “don’t qualify” because I supposedly had prior back problems—which is completely false. I had never even seen a doctor for my back in my 29 years before this injury. It felt like they were trying to shift blame and deny responsibility as fast as possible.
Here’s what I’ve learned after year ik im still kinda new lol dealing with the system: paper trails are everything. I emailed my adjuster after every visit, requested records, and documented everything. That’s the only reason I was eventually approved for a neck MRI—12 months later bc legal reasons she can’t just add it I said oh to cover yall wow she left the room lol because I had proof they were ignoring it from day one.
What makes this worse is being treated like a scammer when you’re clearly struggling. The pressure to sign paperwork, rush visits, and move you along is real. I’ve refused to sign off on visits when they didn’t accurately reflect what I said—because that’s how they get paid and close your case.
This process has completely put my life on hold. I went from working and being active to barely being able to sit, dealing with constant pain, and wondering if this is permanent.
If you’re in workers’ comp in Texas: do not trust the process blindly. Document everything. Push back. Don’t let them minimize your symptoms or box you into one injury when your body is clearly telling a different story.
Hope to hear from people years down road and how this went til the end thanks