Lerwick8
member
Greetings to all...
I was last on Bonesmart in 2017 when I had a hip replacement. I am now in dire need of a right TKR. My entire knee is bone-on-bone, torn meniscus and two Baker's cysts (one leaking into the knee)
I was going to see the same surgeon who did my hip in 2017; however, after two years of a very good/trusting doctor-patient relationship, everything headed south. Indeed, he even lives a block away from me so I know his kids,etc.
Apologies in advance for the lengthy background, but it might help to understand the circumstances:
Per the doctor in question: I have always had difficulties with his immediate staff in that I would never receive return phone calls from his medical assistant when I needed post-surgical advice. Indeed, my PCP had to call to get a response. Unfortunately, this became a constant problem even though I rarely called his office. Indeed, my PCP and her receptionist are both appalled at the lack of response from said doctor’s staff. Even, my dentist’s office failed to get a reply to numerous messages to inquire about dental prophylactic protocol. Suffice it to say, rightly, or wrongly, I began to take this lack of response personally.
I've experienced many medical traumas in my life from being given another patient’s IV while in hospital with pneumonia, to getting someone else’s surgical breast biopsy only to have to go through the surgery twice due to a physician’s carelessness, to a nurse not giving my pain meds after my hip replacement resulting in a setback for my recovery and an extra night in the hospital.
Doctor was going on vacation the day after my surgery (originally scheduled for 4/23) and leaving me in the care of his new PA, who I felt increasingly uncomfortable with. She had absolutely zero facial expression when I met with her for my pre-op and I was not sure that she was even listening to me when I expressed my concerns.
My friends began to worry about me as I expressed growing concern for my prospective post-surgical care, especially after my previous experiences (and rightly so!). They could see how anxious and uneasy I was.
When I expressed this in an email to said doctor, he retorted that his PA was very caring and thorough, but has an expressionless face (how am I supposed to know this). He then ‘fired’ me and offered referrals.
I emailed said doctor back expressing apologies for any misunderstanding and emphasizing that he was the only surgeon I trusted (at present at least). I received no reply! This led to me experiencing my worst medical trauma to date!!!
FYI...This doctor is listed on Bonesmart's "Surgeon Locator" list and I did try to leave a review but was denied. A quick phone conversation or a letter from him would have made a world of difference! But to completely ignore my last email says more about him than me! Definitely lowered my opinion of him as an ethical medical professional, no matter how good of a surgeon he might be!
Fast forward to today...I have met with a few other surgeons in the last 2 weeks and found one that came highly recommended by my PCP. I really liked him. The problem is that as he uses the Smith and Nephew Journey Two BCS custom knee (not the one that was recalled), it takes several weeks to make. His scheduler offered me a surgery date of July 1st.
I am in so much pain that I can barely walk, sleep, etc. I am beginning to slide into depression as my quality of life is so poor. Not sure I can wait for 2 more months!
Okay, so maybe I should have taken the 4/23 date, but I was so uncomfortable. Had the doctor in question not fired me, he could have fit me in in May. But as he has refused further treatment, here I am.
Any encouragement would mean the world to me right now!
I was last on Bonesmart in 2017 when I had a hip replacement. I am now in dire need of a right TKR. My entire knee is bone-on-bone, torn meniscus and two Baker's cysts (one leaking into the knee)
I was going to see the same surgeon who did my hip in 2017; however, after two years of a very good/trusting doctor-patient relationship, everything headed south. Indeed, he even lives a block away from me so I know his kids,etc.
Apologies in advance for the lengthy background, but it might help to understand the circumstances:
Per the doctor in question: I have always had difficulties with his immediate staff in that I would never receive return phone calls from his medical assistant when I needed post-surgical advice. Indeed, my PCP had to call to get a response. Unfortunately, this became a constant problem even though I rarely called his office. Indeed, my PCP and her receptionist are both appalled at the lack of response from said doctor’s staff. Even, my dentist’s office failed to get a reply to numerous messages to inquire about dental prophylactic protocol. Suffice it to say, rightly, or wrongly, I began to take this lack of response personally.
I've experienced many medical traumas in my life from being given another patient’s IV while in hospital with pneumonia, to getting someone else’s surgical breast biopsy only to have to go through the surgery twice due to a physician’s carelessness, to a nurse not giving my pain meds after my hip replacement resulting in a setback for my recovery and an extra night in the hospital.
Doctor was going on vacation the day after my surgery (originally scheduled for 4/23) and leaving me in the care of his new PA, who I felt increasingly uncomfortable with. She had absolutely zero facial expression when I met with her for my pre-op and I was not sure that she was even listening to me when I expressed my concerns.
My friends began to worry about me as I expressed growing concern for my prospective post-surgical care, especially after my previous experiences (and rightly so!). They could see how anxious and uneasy I was.
When I expressed this in an email to said doctor, he retorted that his PA was very caring and thorough, but has an expressionless face (how am I supposed to know this). He then ‘fired’ me and offered referrals.
I emailed said doctor back expressing apologies for any misunderstanding and emphasizing that he was the only surgeon I trusted (at present at least). I received no reply! This led to me experiencing my worst medical trauma to date!!!
FYI...This doctor is listed on Bonesmart's "Surgeon Locator" list and I did try to leave a review but was denied. A quick phone conversation or a letter from him would have made a world of difference! But to completely ignore my last email says more about him than me! Definitely lowered my opinion of him as an ethical medical professional, no matter how good of a surgeon he might be!
Fast forward to today...I have met with a few other surgeons in the last 2 weeks and found one that came highly recommended by my PCP. I really liked him. The problem is that as he uses the Smith and Nephew Journey Two BCS custom knee (not the one that was recalled), it takes several weeks to make. His scheduler offered me a surgery date of July 1st.
I am in so much pain that I can barely walk, sleep, etc. I am beginning to slide into depression as my quality of life is so poor. Not sure I can wait for 2 more months!
Okay, so maybe I should have taken the 4/23 date, but I was so uncomfortable. Had the doctor in question not fired me, he could have fit me in in May. But as he has refused further treatment, here I am.
Any encouragement would mean the world to me right now!
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