Malpractice? Misdiagnosis on L4-5, s-1

[dawnamarie]

What is the name of your state?CT. 2 weeks ago i went to an orthopaedic specialist. He took xrays,etc, my back had been becoming worse over a few months time. It was very painful sitting, bending certain ways, etc. I also have a metal plate in my hip from an accident in 1991. He offered to give me a "relief" shot for bursitis in my hip! THAT was not the problem. I asked about my back and he said perhaps it was a muscle spasm. I left the office very unhappy. Well, exactly one week later my back "gave out" on me. The mRI results(from my chiropractor) where a bulging S-1, herniating in the L-4,5 discs. I have missed over two weeks of work, and i'm probably going to miss alot more!!!! Is this considered malpractice?

 

[ellencee]

dawnamarie
No, it is not malpractice; there is no negligence at all.
Chances are that disc bulging and herniating happened when your back "gave out".
Bed rest is exactly what you need. You are young and you don't want to have surgery unless it is absolutely necessary.
Chances are that your chiropractor didn't do an MRI anyway; I'm not aware the chiropractor's perform such diagnositic exams. Your chiropractor should have referred you to an orthopedic specialist or an orthopedic surgeon as chiropractors' practice requires.
EC

 

[dawnamarie]

Perhaps you misunderstood me. The first DR i went to WAS an orthopeadic specialist. HE is the one who did nothing. Out of frustration i went to my chiropractor who set me up with an MRI , then with a neurologist.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Perhaps you misunderstood me. The first DR i went to WAS an orthopeadic specialist. HE is the one who did nothing. Out of frustration i went to my chiropractor who set me up with an MRI , then with a neurologist.

Ellen is correct, rest is possibly the best thing for you right now and you didn't mention a neurologist in your original post. Most Chiropractors don't do MRI, but the referal for it and to the neurologist was correct.
It is possible that your hip is compromised and that can lead to other problems as you compensate for it. The pain was your body telling you, not to do that! Did you go home and rest or did you continue trying to do everything? Do you use a cane? What type of exercise do you do? Do you use ice? Do you use a brace? Did you take the shot for pain? Lots of quesitons, but no malpractice.

 

[ellencee]

Perhaps you misunderstood me. The first DR i went to WAS an orthopeadic specialist. HE is the one who did nothing. Out of frustration i went to my chiropractor who set me up with an MRI , then with a neurologist.

I did not misunderstand or overlook that you started with an orthopedic physician. The chiropractor can not "keep" a patient with your physical findings but must refer the patient to an orthopedic physician or surgeon. A referral to a neurologist is also appropriate. I did not expect you to return to the first orthopedic physician, though he did nothing wrong.
EC