Hi Dubious,
I think your surgeon is a jerk and can't wait till the statue of limitations passes, when you won't have any recourse for his responsibility in delayed diagnosis and treatment. I don't believe what he said. Only a subpoena would tell the truth.
Most states, the law reads you havae 2 years from the 'incident' or surgery' or omission of diagnosis or treatment. Or 2 years when he should have known you had RSD.
Have you considered seeing an attorney, not his golfing buddy, but a malpractice attorney in the closest large city from you?
It's not easy, but we sued the Dr. that misdiagnosed my mother and caused her death in less than a year. We had her video deposition, due to knowing she would not be alive for trial. It was shown at trial by judge-not jury and were awarded very large settlement.
I couldn't have filed a suit for myself, but didn't. I had no idea I would go full body from a simple breast biopsy. He couldn't wait to refer me to a rehab Dr. for physical therapy. I had huge amounts of green fluid withdrawn from swollen arm, which now I know means infection) I wasn't diagnosed for 4 years.
Just my opinion. My daughter is a court reporter and did a RSD deposition because the surgeon failed to inform the patient the possiblity of getting RSD from the type of surgery she had.
I'm sorry you are going thru this. If I had it to do over again, I would have filed a suit
They aqren't easy, but a good attorney makes it easier.
Do you have any limitations? I got frozen shoulder in my surgery side, then after 100 physical therapy treatments and 100 massage therapy sessions, I call almost full range back. After a year-I got the frozen should in the other shoulder. More therapy. then a year of wellness, then frozen left hand. Didn't get right diagnosis and have a crippled hand. Got partial use back, which I'm grateful for. Then moved to other hand, therapy and full use of right hand, then one foot and leg, then other foot and leg. Now full body.
I'm grateful for a wonderful Dr. I have now. Of course I miss my 'other life' but am doing the best possible considering this disorder. Take care, loretta