Claimant is a 56 year old man who worked for Employer as a delivery truck driver from 2000 until 2010. Claimant's job involved heavy manual labor. On July 14, 2010 Claimant was making a delivery when he grabbed a case of beer from an overhead compartment and felt a pop in his right shoulder. Claimant finished his route, returned to the warehouse and reported the injury. Claimant was referred to Dr. Cynthia Byler for medical treatment. Dr. Byler ordered an MRI which was performed on July 22, 2010, and revealed mild acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis; moderate supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy, but no full thickness tear; long head biceps tendon and labrum were grossly negative; and some possible mild partial thickness tearing of the far anterior supraspinatus. The labrum was grossly negative. After the MRI, Claimant was referred to Dr. James Burke, a board certified orthopedic surgeon, for further medical treatment.
Following a course of conservative treatment Dr. Burke performed surgery on September 3, 2010. Dr. Burke performed a right shoulder arthroscopy with arthroscopic subacrominal decompression and a limited intraarticular debridement of mild undersurface thinning of the supraspinatus tendon. Claimant completed a course of physical therapy and work hardening following the surgery and was released to full duty on December 13, 2010. Claimant returned to work as a delivery driver but because of persistent symptoms in his right arm and shoulder, he bid on and took a lighter job in the warehouse as a forklift or tow operator in January 2011. The job of a forklift driver did not involve heavy lifting with the right arm or overhead use.
Dr. David Volarich examined Claimant on October 5, 2011 and June 26, 2012, prepared reports, and testified on behalf of Claimant. At his examination on October 5, 2011 Claimant had persistent symptoms of pain, loss of motion, weakness, crepitus, decreased endurance and stiffness in his right shoulder. These symptoms made it difficult for him to reach, work overhead, push, pull and lift with his right shoulder. He had difficulty washing between his shoulder blades, and difficulty performing personal hygiene. He had difficulty looping his belt and putting on clothing overhead. Yard work and housework were more difficult and he often took breaks. His sleep was disrupted and he awakened with pain in his right shoulder when he rolled over on his right side. His right shoulder was very stiff in the morning. He avoided playing softball and golf since his injury to his dominant right arm. Dr. Volarcih diagnosed Claimant with internal derangement of the right shoulder (impingement and partial rotator cuff tear), status post arthroscopic subacromial decompression with debridement of the supraspinatus. Dr. Volarich rated the disability at 35 % of the right shoulder due to the impingement and rotator cuff tear that required arthroscopic repair. The rating accounted for ongoing discomfort, lost motion, weakness, crepitus and atrophy in the dominant arm.
At his second examination of Claimant on June 26, 2012, Dr. Volarich noted a worsening of the condition in Claimant's right shoulder. Claimant had more loss in range of motion, impingement testing was moderately positive, there was more weakness in the muscle groups and his symptoms had worsened. Since Claimant's symptoms had worsened, Dr. Volarich's modified his rating to 40 % PPD of the right shoulder.
Dr. Burke testified on behalf of Employer. Dr. Burke described Claimant's September 3, 2010 surgery as a general cleanup and decompression. Dr. Burke found a moderate to small sized spur in his shoulder, but no significant thinning or fraying of the rotator cuff. The rest of the shoulder looked very good. Dr. Burke testified Claimant responded well to surgery and physical therapy, and he released Claimant without permanent restrictions on December 13, 2010. Dr.Burke's December 13, 2010 physical examination was normal. He found Claimant had a small decrease in internal rotation, but there was no instability or impingement in his shoulder. Claimant reported some pain in his shoulder with overuse. Dr. Burke rated Claimant's disability at 5 % PPD of the right shoulder.
Currently Claimant has constant pain and decreased range of motion in his right shoulder especially with overhead motion and behind his back. He has weakness and crepitus in his right shoulder and decreased endurance in his right arm. It is difficult for him to reach overhead, push, pull or lift. Sleep is disrupted because of this right shoulder injury. He avoids golf and hunting
because of right shoulder pain. Claimant takes over the counter medication for pain. Claimant had no prior injuries to the right shoulder.