Question
Hi, thanks for volunteering. My question is about finding a board or a list of Drs who do reconstructive knee surgery in the US. Florida or Georgia would be best, but we are starting to get desperate.

My little sister is a permanently brain-damaged invalid who lives in a pretty affluent institution for people like her in Wauchula, FL. She had a freak accident a couple of years ago and her brain was oxygen deprived. For all intensive purposes, at 34, she is a healthy person. The brain institute took her to the Dr. in Tampa a few months ago on another issue and a Nurse there anonymously reported that she had a broken knee when she arrived. We are livid that anyone at the institute could hurt her so badly and not report it! When we faced them and said there is no other answer but neglect for a person in Candace's condition coming up with that injury while in their care, they did not fight it. Pending a lawsuit, which my family is not pushing at the moment, they have agreed to pay for transpo and surgery to help restore Candace.

Here's the problem we have faced- it will truly break your heart as it does us daily. All surgeons say her mental capacity isn't good enough for surgery, or they just don't want a part of  this mess. It's heart wrenching to hear people tell us over and over again that she should stay in pain with a situation that is recorded as degenerative because of her mental capacity! P.S. She has the permanent mentality of kid yes, but she can feel pain and complain of it! The audacity of a CARE giver to boldly say this is beyond my  comprehension. And believe it or not, the place that hurt her is by far the best she's been in.

We need a surgeon! Orthopedic I guess. We would dare the institute to complain about the distance, but air travel would not be optimum for Candace. But it can be done. Again, Florida or Georgia is best. Can you tell me how to find a list of Drs we can start sending letters to? Is there such a list? Thank you so much for anything you can advise,
Lisa


Answer
Dear Lisa

No one should have to go through what your family is going through.  I can't understand why a doctor would refuse to do surgery and get her out of pain because of decreased mental ability.  Do they think she does not feel pain?  What does her mental capacity have to do with anything, unless they feel it will compromise her ability to physically come through the surgery.  It makes me mad just thinking about it.

Unfortunately I don't know of any surgeon in Florida or Georgia.  I do know of a fabulous one in Arlington VA.  I hd to have reconstruction done on my hip and I went to the Anderson Clinic in Arlington VA.  They are the best in the nation.  The doctors in charge are the Enghs.  Dr. Charles Engh did my surgery and it went perfectly.  The recovery was hard, I was in a body brace for a few months, and it was miserable, but they did a fantastic job.

I would call the Anderson Clinic first.  Then try and get the name of the best hospital (preferably a teaching hospital as they are the best) in Florida and Georgia.  Call the department of orthopedics and ask for the Chairperson.  Then direct your questions to that person.

It is despicable that your sister should have to suffer pain.  I can tell you that bone pain is the worst type of pain you can be in.  It is akin to cancer pain.  Make sure she gets drugs to control the pain.  She may not be able to tell you how much pain she is in, but believe me, if she has a broken knee, she is hurting.  And as far as the lawsuit, don't wait and sue those bastards keeping your sister in pain.

Sharon