Opinions needed re: filing a Doctor complaint

February 4, 2010

Hi All,

I've been lurking on and off for years and found this group extremely helpful.

Now I would like to ask for your opinions.

I've been diagnosed with RA since 1984. Due to aggressive Prednisone therapy

over the years, have developed osteoarthritis. My left ankle and wrist have

been affected and deformed to different degrees. That being said, I have ankle

pain, sometimes severe, on and off during the years.

Last August, the pain got very severe and my rheumie suggested a podiatry

specialist, " a doctor's doctor " he said. Has a new procedure that will sever

the nerve that leads to the pain and POOF, the pain is gone!

I went to see him, 4 times. First 2 times, he injected numbing fluid into

certain areas of my ankle, which helped for about 1/2 hour. He charged medicare

for the use ultrasound guidance. None was used either time, it was just the two

of us in the office. That's a simple problem I have already brought to the

billing office's attention.

We were set for the nerve killing procedure, but the doctor's hand got hurt by

his dog and the surgery got called off. I went to see him for another " numbing

shot " and to my dismay, he then states that the procedure he was going to do,

would not work for my condition. He explained that my problem was actually

caused by a trapped nerve in my ankle, the surgery would require him to open it

up, recovery time would be more extensive. I asked him is he wanted to wait for

the results of and MRI my rheumie wanted my to get. He said no. All this time I

was seeing him, no xrays or other tests were done. Right then, my gut feeling

said " this guy does not know what he's doing " and I called it all off with him.

Turns out that I got the MRI, which led to a xray, which showed a stress

fracture. No wonder it hurt! He was trying to make me not feel the pain from a

fracture! if he didn't hurt his hand... if I didn't call off the 2nd surgery...

My questions is: Should I report him and where do I start?

Sorry this is so long, but I tried to just state the facts. Any opinions would

be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Joanne

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