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Legal Update by Attorney Nick Cooling and Law Clerk Jordan Gehlhaar
Numerous decisions have interpreted the definition of “shoulder” since the Iowa legislature added it as a scheduled member under Iowa Code 85.34(n) in 2017. The most recent decision came on June 17, 2021 by Deputy Commissioner James Christenson in Bolinger v. Trillium Healthcare Group, LLC. Thus far, decisions have developed the definition of shoulder to include the rotator cuff muscles (Deng), labrum, and acromion (Chavez). Deputy Christenson distinguished this case from others, and concluded this permanent partial disability resulted from an injury to the body as a whole.
Claimant Bolinger had a pre-existing injury to her left shoulder resulting in bursitis with capsulitis. While employed by the Defendant, the Claimant fell on her left side and dislocated her shoulder. She underwent a shoulder reduction procedure, but continued to have pain and a limited range of motion. An MRI revealed subluxation of the glenohumeral joint, full thickness tears of the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons, a partial tear of the infraspinatus tendon, and a torn biceps tendon.
Her treating physician did not believe the shoulder was fixable, and recommended a reverse shoulder replacement. This procedure is unique in that a prosthetic ball is pinned into the scapula (shoulder blade) and connects with a prosthetic joint that is placed into the arm bone. In effect, the ball and socket are reversed from the natural shoulder, and the surrounding muscles are utilized differently. Following surgery, the Claimant had an independent medical evaluation (IME) with Dr. Stoken, who found a 24 percent permanent impairment to the upper extremity, which converts to a 14 percent permanent impairment to the body as a whole.
Dr. Stoken opined that a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty extends proximally beyond the shoulder joint due to involvement of periscapular muscles and tendons, such as the rhomboids and trapezius. This procedure and post-operative physical therapy do not include the rotator cuff muscles, but rather the muscles of the upper back, which are proximal to the shoulder joint. For this reason, the Claimant’s shoulder injury was found to extend into the body as a whole.
Generally, compensation for unscheduled, body as a whole injuries is “paid during the number of weeks in relation to five hundred weeks as the reduction of the employee’s earning capacity.” Iowa Code § 85.34(2)(v). However, if an employee returns to work or is offered work for the same or greater earnings as the time of injury, then the employee will be compensated based on their functional impairment rather than their reduction in earning capacity. Claimant Bolinger returned to work with the Defendant at a higher wage. Therefore, she was statutorily limited to functional impairment of her injury, or 96 weeks of permanent partial disability benefits (400 weeks x 24 percent).
When an employee sustains an injury involving the shoulder region, medical records should be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether the injury involves bones, muscles, and tendons that are on the proximal side or distal side of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint. Shoulder injuries are more likely to be scheduled when they are on the distal side of the joint, or involve the muscles of the rotator cuff rather than the muscles of the back.
Peddicord Wharton will continue to monitor case law on this issue.
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