When the treating physician releases an employee to return to work after patella removal, what is the next step?

When a treating physician releases an employee to return to work after a significant medical procedure like patella removal, it typically indicates that the employee's condition has stabilized to the point that they can begin engaging in work activities, either in a full or modified capacity. This transition plays a critical role in the management of Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits.

Advancing Permanent Disability (PD) benefits comes into play in this scenario because, once the employee is released to return to work, it is assumed they are no longer entitled to TTD benefits, which are meant to provide income replacement while the employee is unable to work due to their condition. The release typically signifies that the employee has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), or their condition is stable enough for them to work again, thus differentiating their status from one that qualifies for TTD.

In this context, continuing TTD payments isn't appropriate, as that benefit is designed for those who cannot work at all. Similarly, reducing TTD payments would not reflect the change in the employee's work capacity or health status. Filing a final report could be a necessary administrative step, but it does not directly address the immediate decision regarding benefits tied to the employee's return to work.

Therefore, the decision to