I have been going to an orthopedic specialist since 2015 when I was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis. This initially started in my right knee, then my right hip and now also in my left hip and knee. My pain and discomfort has increased over the years. Recently I had a serious inflammatory issue in my left hip/leg/knee that was unlike any pain I’d ever had before. I made an appointment with my orthopedic specialist in April, 2022. He did not listen to anything I said, refused to take x-rays, and just focused completely on my weight and having weight loss surgery before any kind of hip or knee replacement. He then reviewed x-rays from May 2021 which infuriated me because I was there for a new problem.
He offered to schedule a guided injection which is not only just temporary relief but expensive: a nearly $400 copay I have to pay. I wasn’t happy but agreed. He left the room and sent another staff person in to schedule me for a guided injection. The first appointment wasn’t available till May. I already had to wait two months while experiencing a painful flair up to see this physician, and now I have to wait another month for a shot that is extremely expensive. This further infuriated me after being shamed about my weight, ignored, and dismissed. I had to get out of that office; I got to my car and broke down crying. To add insult to injury I reviewed the physician’s report in which he insinuated that I was lying about my pain.
