Is anyone here an orthopedic surgeon?

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USAFVET98

USAFVET98

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Joined
Aug 5, 2008
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1,282
Location
Hawley, Pennsylvania
I know its odd, but we have so many different people here here with different occupations, I figured I would take a shot. I just have a few questions..
 
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i've given enough time, money, bone, and blood to one. PM your question and let me see if I have any advice. been through 7 ortho surgeries so far... need to get the knee worked on AGAIN...
 
I have had 7 Shoulder operations due to my service connected disability. One of the operations was a peck transfer for long thoracic nerve palsy. I basically paralyzed the nerve and muscle that hold the shoulder blade in. So they put my chest muscle back there as well as tissue from my leg.

The VA tries to help by sending me to orthos outside the va but they always tell me they cant fix me.

Long story short, my left shoulder I think is starting the same thing. The pain is unbareable. I am hoping it's not. The main problem is, the doctor who worked on me last is in manhatten and actually designed that surgery and wrote the book on it. His name is Dr. Evan Flatow. Without insurance, I cant see him, and not too many doctors know what they are looking at.

I will write to the va for permission to go to him, but I want to make sure I should before I go through the trouble.

By the way, very funny guys. LOL
 
I have had some surgeries (10 and counting had surgery today as a matter of fact). I had disc replacement surgery in my neck last year. I had the surgery a few days after it was approved by the FDA.

My insurance wouldn't cover the procedure due to it not being recognized by the ins company as a procedure. Dr did the surgery himself to be able to get recognizion for it. Wrote papers and what/nots.

My advice would be talk to the previous Dr who did the surgery he might be interested for personal reasons. A) Follow up since he designed the surgery B) he wrote a book on the surgery procedure(s). He may do something for you privately. The Dr who did mine is always having case studies and follow ups without any financial responsibilities on the patients part.

Never hurts to ask. I wish you all the best and good luck.

James
 
USAFVET98 said:
I have had 7 Shoulder operations due to my service connected disability. One of the operations was a peck transfer for long thoracic nerve palsy. I basically paralyzed the nerve and muscle that hold the shoulder blade in. So they put my chest muscle back there as well as tissue from my leg.

The VA tries to help by sending me to orthos outside the va but they always tell me they cant fix me.

Long story short, my left shoulder I think is starting the same thing. The pain is unbareable. I am hoping it's not. The main problem is, the doctor who worked on me last is in manhatten and actually designed that surgery and wrote the book on it. His name is Dr. Evan Flatow. Without insurance, I cant see him, and not too many doctors know what they are looking at.

I will write to the va for permission to go to him, but I want to make sure I should before I go through the trouble.

By the way, very funny guys. LOL
Click to expand...

Sorry about your pain Brian, hope you get some relief asap!
 
Brian;
yes, do the paper work for the VA. It is a PIA, all the paper they require. One would think after you give to your country they would make it a bit less taxing to receive some benefits. (I digress) Do you have any contact with someone in the Disabled American Vet organization? They were a big help to me to get my knees worked on when the Navy kicked me out because of it. Also as James said, contact the doctor who invented the surgery. You won't know unless you ask and the what is the worse he could do, say 'yes, I need a study patient'??
hang in there bro..
 
Mark,
Thanks. I do have my contact with DAV and the American Legion. I will contact them and get the ball rolling. I figure if I start it now, I will be able to get in before it gets really bad.



markgum said:
Brian;
yes, do the paper work for the VA. It is a PIA, all the paper they require. One would think after you give to your country they would make it a bit less taxing to receive some benefits. (I digress) Do you have any contact with someone in the Disabled American Vet organization? They were a big help to me to get my knees worked on when the Navy kicked me out because of it. Also as James said, contact the doctor who invented the surgery. You won't know unless you ask and the what is the worse he could do, say 'yes, I need a study patient'??
hang in there bro..
Click to expand...
 
This just makes me sick. One of our own (OK know this is international site) So an American Vet who served our country needs advice from a place like this becuase he cant get the help he needs without being buried in red tape. Yet we want to give insurance to everyone and let this same govenment who can't even take care of their own people run health care for everyone!
Brian,
I feel for you and hope everything works out and you get the help you need. And THANK YOU for serving our country!
 
USAFVET98 said:
I have had 7 Shoulder operations due to my service connected disability. One of the operations was a peck transfer for long thoracic nerve palsy. I basically paralyzed the nerve and muscle that hold the shoulder blade in. So they put my chest muscle back there as well as tissue from my leg.

The VA tries to help by sending me to orthos outside the va but they always tell me they cant fix me.

Long story short, my left shoulder I think is starting the same thing. The pain is unbareable. I am hoping it's not. The main problem is, the doctor who worked on me last is in manhatten and actually designed that surgery and wrote the book on it. His name is Dr. Evan Flatow. Without insurance, I cant see him, and not too many doctors know what they are looking at.

I will write to the va for permission to go to him, but I want to make sure I should before I go through the trouble.

By the way, very funny guys. LOL
Click to expand...



A patient rep. at your VA hospital should guide you through the process. If that fails, write you congressman and hope he is a Republican.
 
Brian,

If you contact the doc that did the previous surgery, he may also know someone in your area that does the procedure. Best of luck and I hope everything works out for you.
 
Brian let me know if you don't get anywhere as I know a shoulder guy who may be able to help. Also the suggestion about talking to the original doc for reference to a colleague of his is good as that is how I came across my current foot guy. BTW I have now have had 13 or 14 surgeries so I know the deal all too well so believe me when I offer you my best wishes on your journey.
 
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