6/7/2020 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly therapy.[18] Petitioner, however, stated that respondents already refused to shoulder further medical expenses.[19] On September 11, 2012, Dr. Tay submitted another report on the condition of petitioner to the President of respondent Crossworld Marine Services, Inc., stating thus: PRESENT EXAMINATION: He still complains of mild low back discomfort although no neurologic deficits noted. Functional capacity testing was done according to his job description which he did not pass due to back pain on certain motions. He should continue flexibility and strength exercises through his physiatrist. Follow up is scheduled on October 11, 2012. DIAGNOSIS: Status post laminectomy L4L5-L5S1 and foraminotomy L4L5L4S1. Ongoing physiotherapy. DISPOSITION: Prognosis is fair to good. His symptoms at present are subjective. If he will pass the functional capacity testing after adequate flexibility is attained, he can resume work at sea. This is seen in 2 to 3 more months. Interim disability assessment is unchanged at Grade 8 based on the POEA Contract Schedule of Impediments.[20] (Emphasis supplied.) Meantime, petitioner went to see another physician, Dr. Renato P. Runas, an orthopedic surgeon, for a second opinion regarding his low back pain. In a Medical Evaluation Report dated September 7, 2012,[21] Dr. Runas made this finding: xxxx At present, Seaman Gomez is still incapacitated due to pain on the lower back with numbness of the left lower extremity. Lower back pain is triggered by exertion. He cannot tolerate prolonged walking and standing because of pain. Forward and backward trunk motion is limited because of pain. He has difficulty standing from a sitting position. x x x Seaman Gomez is still saddled with persistent and chronic moderate to severe low back pain. The residual pain is secondary to the disc disease and osteoarthritis. This chronic residual low back pain proved to be refractory to medications and physiotherapy management. He is unable to carry and lift heavy objects due to stiffness and pain. It is also difficult for him to bend, pick up and carry objects from the floor because of the limitation of trunk motion. The surgery has lessened the intensity of pain but he did not regain his physical capacity to work. As an Ordinary Seaman, he does strenuous and heavy jobs which are no longer possible after the surgery. He needs complete activity modification to avoid further damage to the spine. He is unfit for sea duty in whatever capacity elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/63243 3/17