My wife has a number of spinal issues. About 3 years ago, she was having such severe lower back and leg pain that she couldn't ambulate without a cane. Although in her late fifties at the time, she is a vegetarian, and exercises very regularly. She has always maintained the appropriate body weight for her height. We went to TOI on Grant based on a referral from our PCP. Extensive Xrays and an MRI were ordered. After taking the usual inordinate amount of time to get an appointment, and enduring the staggering inefficiency in the administrative area, we finally got an appointment with one of the surgeons (whose name I won't mention for legal reasons). He reviewed the xrays and MRI with us, and stated that he really didn't see anything that would cause her level of pain. Interestingly, since all patients receive the written radiology report, we noticed that it clearly stated ""senovial cyst at L5"". The TOI surgeon also had the audacity to ask her if she ""normally had trouble with pain tolerance"". Not only does she have great tolerance for pain, but even if she didn't, we found this statement patently insulting.
We just couldn't imagine that nothing could be done (she had had 3 epidural injections by that time), so the next week we resolved in desperation to go to Mayo clinic in Scottsdale. We were seen promptly. The MRI was initially reviewed by a Physician's Assistant (not even the surgeon). It took him about 3 minutes to tell us that she had severe lumbar stenosis AND a very obvious senovial cyst on her lower spine. When the surgeon reviewed the case, he immediately recommended surgery. She had surgery on her lumbar area, and the results were great!
Anytime we mention TOI to anyone who has been in Tucson for any length of time, they usually visibly cringe and give us an ""Oh my God"" reaction.
We are very non-litigious people, but did investigate malpractice suits against TOI for the misdiagnosis in the case. We decided that the time and resources required wouldn't be worth the trouble. Since we wanted to so what we could to try and prevent others from our fate, we met with one of the principles at TOI to make him aware of our experience with this particular doctor. He just sort of tried to smooth it over and said he would ""look into the situation"". We learned last week that the doctor involved is still at TOI and still doing surgeries.
Bottom line...avoid this quack house at all costs. It's a dangerous place.
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