Here are more impairment rating guidelines for physicians to use in North Carolina work injury cases. The guidelines are meant to be a starting point. Doctors should also factor into their impairment ratings the oral examination, functional tests, diagnostic tests, and the prognosis for the injured worker.
For a deeper understanding of why the impairment ratings can impact directly the amount of benefits you deserve, watch this video by attorney Joe Miller. He has been a tough advocate for injured workers for over 25 years. His counsel includes working with workers and doctors to fight for the right rating for each worker’s unique set of physical problems.
Upper Extremities
Many of the decision points for doctors are medical terms of art. A few that can help guide the discussion are:
• Ankylosis is stiffness of the joint(s) due to abnormal adhesion and joint bone rigidity.
• Arthroplasty is an orthopedic surgical procedure performed to help restore function of the joints.
The upper extremities means the thumbs, fingers, hands, wrist, elbows, shoulders, and the arms. Doctors should use the follow guidelines to decide if the digit, hand or arm should be rated:
• If damage is limited to the digits (fingers) distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint, then the digit itself should be rated.
• If there is anatomical damage proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint, a rating for the hand should be given, including any consideration for the digit as a percentage of the hand.
• If anatomical damage includes an area proximal to the elbow joint, the disability rating should be for the arm and include any percentage which would have otherwise been credited for the hand or digits.
“ANKYLOSIS” AND “LIMITED MOTION WITH PAIN.”
Fingers
• Ankylosis of distal IP joint (in optimum position) = 35% of digit
• Ankylosis of proximal IP joint (in optimum position) = 50% of digit
• Ankylosis of metacarpal-phalangeal joint (in optimum position) = 45% of digit
• Any of the above in malposition = up to 100% of digit
Wrist
• Ankylosis in optimum position = 35% of “hand”
• Ankylosis in malposition = up to 100% of “hand”
o Limited motion, mild = up to 10% of hand
o moderate = up to 20% of hand
o severe = up to 25% of hand
Elbow
• Ankylosis in optimum position = 50% of arm
• Ankylosis in malposition = up to 90% (Straightened position not as disabling as marked flexion).
• Limited motion and pain
o Flexion and extension (accounts for 60% of elbow function)
20º motion in middle range = 35% of “arm” (80 to 100%)
40º motion in middle range = 30% of “arm” (70 to 100%)
120º motion in middle range = 5% of “arm” (45 to 160%)
o Pronation and Supination account for 40% of elbow function
Total loss in neutral position = 25% of hand
20º motion each way from neutral 20% of hand
60º motion each way from neural 5% of hand
Arthroplasty of elbow using prosthesis = 40% of arm
Shoulder
• Ankylosis in optimum position = 50% of “arm”
• Ankylosis in malposition = up to 80% of “arm”
• Resection end of clavicle (distal to coranoid and trapezoid ligaments) = 5% plus limitation
FRACTURES
• Fingers and Metacarpals. Mal-alignment, shortening, stiffening, etc., rated according to function of finger. Express as “percent of digit” if loss is distal to MP joint; otherwise, as “percent of hand,” calculated from the sum of each involved digit, reduced to its known percent of hand.
• Carpals: Rated according to function of wrist.
• Forearm fractures
o Mal-alignment. Rated primarily on limited motion in wrist joint. Add for angulation, shortening, weakness, etc. Express as “percent of hand.” Occasionally the elbow must also be rated for loss of motion, expressed in “percent of the arm” and the total impairment calculated from the sum of the parts reduced to their relative percent of the whole.
o Excision of fractured radial head. Full motion with no pain = 10% of arm. Otherwise rate on basis of loss of motion and pain in elbow and wrist.
o Excision of distal end of ulna. Rated on basis of adjacent joint function with minimum loss of 10% of hand
• Fractures of humerus
o Mal-alignment. Rated primarily on basis of limited motion and pain in shoulder and elbow joints, and expressed in “percent of arm.” Add for angulation, shortening, weaknesses, etc., not reflected in loss of joint function.
• Fractures of shoulder girdle. Rated according to function of shoulder joint. Add for pain and weakness in non-union.
• Fracture into a joint. In general, add 10% if minimal displacement, and more if joint surface is irregular. Any time a joint is entered surgically for repair or excision of a part, the minimum impairment is to be 10%
LACERATION OF THE HAND (TENDON, NERVE, JOINT, ETC.)
• Loss of sensation (complete and noticeable) (exclusive of tendon damage)
o ½ of distal phalanx = 25% of digit
o ½ of finger = 100% of digit
• Division of flexor sublimis with full extension of finger
o Tendon only = 10% of digit
• Division of flexor profundus
o Tendon only = 75% of digit
• Division of both profundus and sublimis tendons.= 90% of digit
• Arthrodesis of distal IP joint = 35% of joint
• Arthrodesis of proximal IP joint = 50% of digit
• Arthrodesis of MP joint = 45% of digit
• Above ratings are for arthrodesis in optimum position. Add for malposition.
• “Contractures” of joints or “limited motion and pain.” Impairment determined on basis of severity as compared to arthrodesis of the joint.
PERIPHERAL NERVE INJURIES:
(Rated on basis of loss in the “hand.” If lesion is high and involves structures above biceps insertion, then loss is rated on the “arm.”)
• Ulnar nerve injury
o Complete motor and sensory = 60% of “hand”
o Complete motor and partial sensory = 50% of “hand”
o Motor only = 40% of “hand”
• Median nerve injury
o Complete motor and sensory = 90% of “hand”
o Complete motor and partial sensory = 60% of “hand”
o Motor only to thumb = 35% of “hand”
• Radial nerve injury
o Motor and sensory = 75% of “hand”
• Above estimates are given prior to any reconstruction and may be reduced considerably by reconstructive surgery.
• If contracture has occurred in the digits, additional impairment should be added.
Speak with an Experienced North Carolina Workers Compensation Attorney Today
A slight variance in an impairment rating can be a huge difference in a worker’s wallet, particularly if the injured worker has returned to alternate employment and is earning the same as pre-injury. To help you get the right rating, it is crucial that speak with a knowledgeable North Carolina injury lawyer who understands the complex medical jargon and who has worked with work injury doctors. For help now, call North Carolina Workers’ Compensation attorney Joe Miller today at 888-694-1671. You can also fill out his contact form.
