Is there something wrong with this ?

ArtyZiffsAfro

Hi all

Just to get peoples opinions on my issue.
The whole thing seems wrong to me.

I tore my meniscus a few months ago.
I went to my G.P and got an MRI at that time.
The G.P gave me an open referral.
I contacted an orthopedic consultant who I went to and had an appointment.
The consultant advised that I needed surgery.
I payed a consultation fee for this.
He forwarded my details on to a surgeon.
The surgeon has contacted me since with an appointment date for another initial consultation to see if I need surgery.
Again I will have to pay for this.

Seems like the initial consultant has basically done nothing for me whatsoever ?
Have I just made a mistake a mistake by not contacting a surgeon in the first place ?

kerry4sam

ArtyZiffsAfro wrote: »

Hi all

Just to get peoples opinions on my issue.
The whole thing seems wrong to me.

I tore my meniscus a few months ago.
I went to my G.P and got an MRI at that time.
The G.P gave me an open referral.
I contacted an orthopedic consultant who I went to and had an appointment.
The consultant advised that I needed surgery.
I payed a consultation fee for this.
He forwarded my details on to a surgeon.
The surgeon has contacted me since with an appointment date for another initial consultation to see if I need surgery.
Again I will have to pay for this.

Seems like the initial consultant has basically done nothing for me whatsoever ?
Have I just made a mistake a mistake by not contacting a surgeon in the first place ?

Ah jasuz it's like reading a leaf from my own book. I paid 200euros for a consultation with a NeuroSurgeon; only to then have to pay for another scan 200euros (CT) as the MRI 200euros was not clear on the bone structure; and in January I am looking at 180euros for another consultation with an Orthopaedic Surgeon with follow-up sessions also I'd imagaine, all extra.

I do have a fracture in my lower spine that needs mending. Waiting for January for that treatment plan & I am brickin' it at thought of hearing 'Surgery'. I won't go down that road as a surgery in my spinal region is something I am not comfortable with (one nick in the wrong place & that's it!).

Is there something wrong with all these varying consultations? Jeez, I don't know. They are specialists in their respective areas. They have knowledge that others do not possess, hence the varying areas in Medical Science.
You would not know the details you now do, without the initial consultation.

It's like a game of swing and roundabouts, with referrals to colleagues they know.
I'd trust the team I've been in contact with. Just wish I knew now what I am looking at long-term.
Just hoping this fracture will heal by itself, and come January when I meet this Orthopaedic Surgeon, one more scan to reveal all healed

It is expensive, but I trust that it's being done for the good of your health, with varying referrals to people who would know more on your area of injury. That's the way I am viewing this anywhoo It that wrong?! I don't think so.

Hope you feel better soon
kerry4sam

ArtyZiffsAfro

Sounds like you have experienced the same sort of thing.

Main issue is with the first Consultant I saw , totally pointless.
An orthopedic consultant and an orthopedic surgeon both possess the same knowledge and are both qualified to make the
same decision on looking at an MRI.
He basically provided me with a phone number of his "buddy " and took 150 euros in doing so.
I could have contacted him directly myself.
I thought it would be from the consultant straight to the operating table without an additional consultation of 170 euro.
Nothing much I can do now except put it down to an valuable lesson learnt.

Best of luck with your injury

Spook_ie

I had my cartilages taken out some 20 years ago and long story short a number of years ago I developed awful right knee pain, GP sent me for x-ray & mri which showed severe osteoarthritis and I was referred to one of the well know Orthopaedic guys here in Dublin, I arrived for the Consultation, the Consultant popped up the xray and after less than 30 seconds said there was nothing he could do, that the knee would have to be replaced and that he didnt do replacements.....well you could have knocked me over with a feather, but fair play to the Consultant, he walked me out to his secretary, told her to make an appointment with the knee replacement Orthopaedic surgeon and told her NOT to charge me for his consultation....:) but for every one surgeon who doesnt charge, there's probably 99 that will charge - one of the kids currently has an ENT prob & we're getting a bit of a run round with that and seeing a 2nd ENT is on the cards.......

Truman Burbank

ArtyZiffsAfro wrote: »

Have I just made a mistake a mistake by not contacting a surgeon in the first place ?

A Consultant Ortho is a Counsultant Ortho Surgeon. They are registered on The Specialist Division of The Medical Council Register.
See here: http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Check-the-Register/

So here are your issues:

(1) If you submitted the referral/MRI report prior to the appt., were you always going to be re-referred because the Consultant Ortho you saw does not (now or ever (except training)) do these surgeries, assuming it was clear that you would probably require X surgery? (A valid question to ask their office), but, but, but.... not all tears need surgery and the whole point of a consult, is to see what you need (please do not take that as a patronising comment). See here: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00358

(2) The Consultant Ortho you saw does do knee surgeries but feels that you would be better treated by an different Consultant Ortho because
(a) Your Consultant Ortho does not do this type of knee surgery having consulted with you (History, exam and MRI review) AND/OR
(b) they feel the other Consult Ortho is more appropriate for what you need to have done, in that it is Consultant B's sub-speciality. See here as an example, note the listed sub-speciality, thou this does not preclude all Consultant Orthos, who have not listed 'Knee Surgery', as not providing the service and being competent/trained to do so: http://www.materprivate.ie/service/orthopaedics/


In essence, one would reasonably assume, the consultant saw you because they thought, in good faith, that they could manage your case themselves, and if not (based on the actual consult) refer you on. Your experience is certainly not uncommon in Dermatology, where the initial consultation can lead to a referral to a Plastic Surgeon.

ArtyZiffsAfro

Truman Burbank wrote: »

A Consultant Ortho is a Counsultant Ortho Surgeon. They are registered on The Specialist Division of The Medical Council Register.
See here: http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Check-the-Register/

Hi

I agree with all your points
My mistake or misfortune was not checking the sub-specialties for the consultant in question.
I just assumed naively that all ortho-consultants would preform surgery
I was told this after the appointment that he doesn't.
The location of the tear meant surgery was inevitable.
I had to contact the second consultant myself to arrange an appointment even though my data was apparently send on.
The Healthcare system is well below that of our European counterparts and that includes both public and private...vent over.

Truman Burbank

I just assumed naively that all ortho-consultants would preform surgery I was told this after the appointment that he doesn't.
The location of the tear meant surgery was inevitable.
I had to contact the second consultant myself to arrange an appointment

As above, you are more than entitled to ask did the consultant know re-referral (versus a second opinion) would be the end result IF you had submitted your letter and scan prior, and he had looked at them briefly (which is the norm as patients are prioritised for appts based on urgency).

I would be surprised if he doesn't do this surgery and it was clear to him that you almost certainly did need it, so it would have been prudent to pass you on. I don't think that sorta situation happens much.