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Medical neglect

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Elyria

Guest
I was under the care of a sports medicine specialist for 4 1/2 months during which time he was treating me for malilignment of my right knee, when in all actuality it was my right hip that was actually broken. During the last month under his care I went to physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week, and swam (under his encouragement) 4 to 5 times a week. After 4 1/2 months of not getting better, I obtained a secon opinion, which is how I found out about my broken hip. I don't know how my hip broke (no major trauma, etc.), but the physicians negligence and me walking around on it the whole time without knowing what my true injury was caused my leg bone to settle crooked. I eventually had hip surgery at the end of August, in which the surgeon not only had to pin the original break together, he had to go just below that point to break my leg again to realign me for there was a one inch difference in my leg lenth did not exist before my injury. I've been told that any monies I would receive as part of a recovery (emotional pain and lost wages) if I sued would not be worth what the actual cost of a suit would be. The injury came at a turning point in my life where I was making a job and location change. My career plans and path in life have been totally changed as a result of my first doctor's negligence. Do I have a case worth fighting for?
 


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PamSJS

Guest
Hi Elyria;

Sounds like a case of misdiagnosis, which may or may not be the physicians fault. When you first went to the sports doc, what was your complaint? Did you complain of knee pain, or of hip pain? If you didn't know your hip was broken, and had no symptoms of hip displacement, it's possible your doctor didn't associate the pain in your knee with your hip either.

Medicine is not an exact science. Many times physicians treat a patients symptoms and find out later that the treatment was inappropriate for the injury. This does not make him a bad doctor....I think it would be very difficult to prove him negligent.

The procedure that was done by doctor #2 most likely would have been necessary anyway.
Be grateful you found someone who was able to resolve your problem so that you can now get on with your life.

Best of luck to you!
 

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