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What would you do, race or not?
Posted By: '72CudaRacer
What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 03:47 AM
I had a problem with my knee last week that put me off work (I am a heavy duty diesel truck mechanic). I got the results from the MRI today, torn miniscus in my left knee, surgry the only option. Work will not let me return to work until I have been released by the doctor to 100% status, no "light duty". (I am on short term disability). The earliest that I can get scheduled for surgry is 2 weeks. I can now walk with out my crutches for a short while. I haven't taken ANY pain meds since sunday night and will not if I race.
I ask the Dr. about drag racing, and after quizing me about it, said that he didn't have a problem with it, the damage had already been done, and as long as I could stand the discomfort, and not jepordise my fellow competitors, he didn't see an issue.
I will have help in the pits and with the loading and unloading and a golf cart to ride where I need to go.
So, to other racers, what would you do? Race or not? And would you welcome me as a competitor, or be on edge about me being beside you?
Thanks in advance,
Posted By: hemi-itis
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 03:53 AM
Posted By: MR_P_BODY
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:01 AM
Doc said you can... so go for it... it'll be a while
before you can again
Posted By: Crizila
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:08 AM
I would trust your decision. Only you know what you can do and I'm sure you wouldn't put your oun Butt in danger.
Posted By: jkgtx
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:10 AM
as a truck mechanic too i also tore same thing but did it playing soccer still worked until surgery you be fine racing just dont overuse it in pits good luck feel your pain
Posted By: theraif
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:14 AM
getting in the car if you dont have a swing out bar mite be an issue
and your employer could get
lol
Posted By: pittsburghracer
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:18 AM
Brian good-luck with your operation and I hope all goes well. I tore my Meniscus years ago climbing off a gear case. I didn't report it as a work related injury because of the hassles we go through for comp injuries. It has since been operated on three times and hurts everyday of my life. It helps being retired and not having to do the heavy lifting and climbing or I probably would have to be cut open again. I can't tell you how many cortisone shots they have tried. They even tried the injection shots that are made from a chicken comb and very expensive. I did Millwright work and I see you are in heavy equipment repair so don't rush your recovery and go to the needed therapy. If you get a chance and fill up to it GOOOO RACING.
Posted By: 10sec440
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:20 AM
Which knee?
Posted By: Triple Threat
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:22 AM
I'd race.
Posted By: StealthWedge67
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 04:32 AM
Is this some sort of trick question???.... Dude! Go racing!
Posted By: super451b
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 06:24 AM
Had mine done last year. Raced up to the surgery and was racing again 2 weeks after the surgery. It still bothers me today but not near as bad as before I had it worked on.
Posted By: Just-a-dart
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 06:39 AM
If your head is clear and you can get your mind in race mode go for it.
Posted By: slippery440
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 11:53 AM
KEY WORDS Short term disability / Can't work / Needs operation. Stay home and fix your knee and get back to work then play with the car. We have guys that race every weekend at the dirt track that are on disability and supposly can't work. I love it I work in pain every day and can't race every weekend because I CAN NOT AFFORD TO RACE!!!I was brought up to understand that you work first then play and if you are to sick or to hurt you stay home and get fixed.Do you understand that disability is paying you to stay home and to get healthy and not go to a race where there may be a chance to injure the knee worst?
Posted By: Mr.Yuck
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 12:01 PM
I think you should be fine...if it starts to bother you then you can always pack it in.
Posted By: smokinwoody
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 01:19 PM
I wouldnt be telling anyone that you work with, about racing in the future...especially if you are workman's comp...and if this was a work related injury, you are entitled to compensation which means, they can bring it up that you were able to race but you didnt want to come back to work...forget about what the Doctor says...hes not a lawyer...
I've been there and done that and know the outcome to these things...you do what YOU feel...just watch who's snapping those pictures of you...
Posted By: max_maniac
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 06:06 PM
Quote:
I wouldnt be telling anyone that you work with, about racing in the future...especially if you are workman's comp...and if this was a work related injury, you are entitled to compensation which means, they can bring it up that you were able to race but you didnt want to come back to work...forget about what the Doctor says...hes not a lawyer...
I've been there and done that and know the outcome to these things...you do what YOU feel...just watch who's snapping those pictures of you...
best advice yet 
Russ
Posted By: 68X426
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 06:18 PM
Quote:
Quote:
I wouldnt be telling anyone that you work with, about racing in the future...especially if you are workman's comp...and if this was a work related injury, you are entitled to compensation which means, they can bring it up that you were able to race but you didnt want to come back to work...forget about what the Doctor says...hes not a lawyer...
I've been there and done that and know the outcome to these things...you do what YOU feel...just watch who's snapping those pictures of you...
best advice yet
Russ
times 2.
You should consider some CYA here. You are likely jepardizing disability payments, and maybe your employment future.
IT IS A COLD WORLD OUT THERE. A work disability doesn't mean a free ride to enjoy life (racing and/or pit work would look like you are healthy, when viewed by a stone cold employer and the insurer, both with attorneys).
Don't want to rain on your fun, but there are consequences to what you choose to do with your "free" time when "disabled".
Somebody is paying you to get fixed and get healthy. Most employers, and insurers, would see you as healthy based on what you've said. Poof goes your payments and poof goes the job.
Get well soon. 
Posted By: Thumperdart
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 06:35 PM
I`d go for it..............may even take your mind off of the pain for a while.
Posted By: Leon441
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 07:01 PM
I guess the key question that no-one is asking but jumping in the puddle of crap with both feet is.....Is this an on the job injury? Are you on workmans comp or is the employer simply CTA by not letting you work.
I had a torn miscous myself. Probably a long term walking around RR tracks but it was done at the track. I try to be honest and straight up so I gave the RR the benefit of doubt and noted when the injury was first noticed. They told me not to work and put me on short term dissability. Many don't understand this it is the employer CTA not the person wanting to sit back and draw a check. I went racing while off. The extra heat from the driving pants did wonders for my knee. I told the surgeon and he said absolutely heat was good as long as I did not twist my knee getting in the car. Heck they told me to ride a bicycle everyday leading up to surgery.
If you are on a work related injury you will just have to weigh the odds yourself. If it was not work related I would race. Laying up waiting on surgery sucks. Racing is good for ya. And if you wear the two layer pants they made my knee feel great.
Leon
Posted By: 440Jim
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 07:35 PM
I don't have any experience in this, so take it for what it is worth (or not).
Get the doctor's position in writing:
1) Not cleared for your particular job, even light duty
2) Cleared for driving, including drag racing.
I would be concerned from a legal stand point about collecting disability and doing anything that "appears" like you are not injured.
From another racer's standpoint, as long as it isn't the leg you need for operating the pedals (brake, gas, clutch?); I don't have any worry about you. Only you can answer if you feel capable of getting in and out of the car in an emergency.
Posted By: JoWeTu_6
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 07:51 PM
A few days ago a police officer was arrested for embezzlement, seems he had several MMM1 match's he was 12 and 2. Thing is he was of on Workman's Comp.
I'm just saying, check with your state's rules first I'm just saying better safe than sorry.
Jowetu_6 I'm just saying
Posted By: viperblue72
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/12/12 08:01 PM
You aren't supposed to use your left leg for braking anyways right? That's what they taught in drivers ed anyways.
Posted By: oldtimer5151
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 12:52 AM
In 09 I was in a car wreck and fractured 4vertebrae and bulged 2 bottom disk. I had to quit driving and train someone else to drive. The car is faster than it has ever been because I can see and hear the car run. My advice is to be a good boy and rest until the leg is healed. You may find that you have missed little things that may speed the car up- like I did. I still get the adrenlin goin when he stages the car!
Posted By: Mr. T
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 01:40 AM
I would definitely be on edge having you beside me! I would figure that you were about to chop the tree down, and hand me my a$$!
Go Race man, and enjoy yourself.
Posted By: Shoozy
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 01:53 AM
As good of a racer as you are can you make your living doing it? As already pointed out, this COULD jeopardize your disability and maybe even your job. As a racer I would not worry at all having you next to me (other than getting my azz handed to me). As a friend I would tell you to stay out of the car until fully recuperated and released to return to work simply to protect your livelihood. This is the internet - don't assume "they" wouldn't know. You have many years of racing left so don't risk losing everything by racing now. My
Posted By: GwaiiEagle
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 02:59 AM
Quote:
Quote:
I wouldnt be telling anyone that you work with, about racing in the future...especially if you are workman's comp...and if this was a work related injury, you are entitled to compensation which means, they can bring it up that you were able to race but you didnt want to come back to work...forget about what the Doctor says...hes not a lawyer...
I've been there and done that and know the outcome to these things...you do what YOU feel...just watch who's snapping those pictures of you...
best advice yet
Russ
x3 you know how bad Compo can be for this kind of stuff.
Posted By: Adobedude
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 03:24 AM
If your gettting Workmans Comp...Don't.
That's coming from an employer. If you worked for me and I was indirectly paying you (through raised rates) for your time off and I knew you were drag racing...I'd fight your comp to the end.
As an employer in this economy, we will do what we have to do to stay alive, and passing on higher insurance rates to the consumer is hard to do, especially when half the companies you are bidding against have dropped their insurance to stay in business.
Posted By: Dabee
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 03:28 AM
Brian,
Man I’m sorry to hear this. I would take it easy and get that knee healed up first. Racing is a hobby; your job is your lively hood. If you do decide to race though, I would have no problem staging next to you. Do what you are comfortable with. If you decide to wait until the knee is healed, at least come out and be a spectator once and a while. Take care and have a fast recovery.
Russ
Posted By: '72CudaRacer
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 03:31 AM
Thanks for all the replys guys. A lot of good points have been raised.
First off, it is NOT a workmans comp deal, although the short term disability folks tried every way to get me to say it was done at work. Truth is, I don't know what caused it.
Second, it is a work place CYA deal. Like my doctor told me, everyone knows you have a knee problem, but if you were allowed to return to work and stumbeled into a fan blade or something, then it would be their a$$. (doctors words, not mine).
Also when you go on short term disability, you have to wait 7 calender days before getting compensation. So if I WERE allowed back to work until the surgery, I would have another waiting period. Being on short term disability means you can't perform your job at this time, but it doesn't mean you are totally useless. Would it be OK to go fishing? or go to the casinos? or go to a baseball game? The problem is the perception.
I have help loading and unloading and even to take the car to the staging lanes. I climbed into my car today, and although I was able to get in it, I don't think I can do it all day long. One day at a time...
Brian Dunnigan
Posted By: Adobedude
Re: What would you do, race or not? - 04/13/12 04:31 AM
Perception is everything...
Would I line up against you..? Sure. I'd never see anything but your bumper fading off in the distance anyway.
