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Originally Posted by KatLC
After having my 2nd spinal fusion 6 months ago I had an EMG done and discovered I have nerve damage as a result of the surgery. The surgery was to treat sciatica on my right side and now my left foot has partial loss of sensation and I constantly have sever burning pain that no medication or PT has been able to help so far. I did not have this nerve damage before, this was clearly a result of the surgery. The surgeon told me before the fusion that nerve damage was not considered a possible risk since the incision was from the anterior and not the posterior. After the surgery he admitted the pain I was having was not normal or a complication that he would have expected. He kept telling me that the nerve was just irritated and that the pain would go away over time. It was only when I went to another doctor that I had an EMG ordered and discovered the nerve was not irritated, it was damaged.
I am in constant pain, I may loose my job and I am horribly depressed because I can't have a social life. I don't feel like my condition is improving and I don't know what to do. Is this possibly a case of medical malpractice?
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Hi Kat,
I have found the Attorney General in my state was very helpful to me with with medical "consumer" issues. All it will take is a call to their office, stating your issues and ask them for advice. It is possible this doctor has other complaints or perhaps your state has legal assistance for such matters.
Twice I used our AG and he helped me resolve my problems both times with some very sensible, straight forward advice. One issue was my insurance company would not pay for long term IV antibiotics for an illness my doc said I needed it for. I was out of work on short term disability and the AG told me to call my employer and tell them I was being refused treatment and potentially delaying my return to work. My company called the health insurance co and I received the treatment the next day. The other issue is, my doc would not give me my medical records. The AG's assistant called the doc and said what he was doing was illegal and the doc overnighted the records the next day.
Remember that medical treatment is a consumer issue and attorney generals handle those issues. I had no idea about this, a friend told me.
I am sorry for what you are going through. Considering you may lose your job due to this issue, I think the AG, at minimum, will be able to offer some legal guidance.
I wish you the best Kat,
Diandra