I've seen Dr. Birkbeck twice, one for each wrist roughly a year apart…read more
The first experience, I never got a clear answer, even after an MRI and cortisone injection, as to why I was in pain.
The second experience I chose Dr. Birkbeck because I thought I was an existing patient since it'd only been a year (turns out, I wasn't. They charged my insurance for a new patient exam...the bill in and of itself is a whole other issue.)
I had been in a motorcycle accident on 7/6 and received a diagnosis in the ER for a left wrist fracture. When I showed up 4 days post accident, he took me out of the ER splint, put me in a cock-up wrist brace and sent me on my way for another week. Then he puts it in his records that I agreed to the brace! (I would have much preferred a cast for the stability) He also spent less than 10 minutes with me in the exam room, and I wasn't swollen at this point.
I then go back, at this point 10 days post accident, and get follow up x-rays in which he informs me there's been no change...well no kidding duh! I can remove the brace to shower (he told me I could) and it was not stable enough so it was moving! I then explain to him that with my work, the brace wasn't stable enough for me and he says, and I quote "I'm glad you told me. We can switch it up or I can put you in a cast, IF YOU'D LIKE". What is this, patient is the doctor for the day?! So I opt for the cast, and his medical assistant Crystal puts it on way too loosely. I have to come back in two days later for a new cast to be put on! Luckily, this time around, Taylor Luis (his other medical assistant) apologized that I had to come back in and she cut off the loose cast and put me in a new, much more secure, one. Again, this appointment, the doc spent less than 10 minutes with me.
I was then told to follow up in 4 weeks. They cut me out of the cast, took x-rays, and put me in the room. The doc comes back and says "your x-rays are looking great and you're healing up nicely. I'm going to put you back in a brace for two to three weeks and then I'd like you to start moving and using your wrist. But I don't need to see you again, unless you feel it necessary, and I don't think you'll need physical therapy". So I say "Oh so I'm healed?" and he says "No, you're healing"...So 5.5 weeks post-fracture, and he sends me on my way, not fully healed, and doesn't need to see me again? Didn't seem right. Especially after yet again another 10 minute appointment.
I am now 8.5 weeks post accident, still in a brace because the pain is so bad I almost went back on opioids, and am going to eat the cost to see another doctor for a second opinion. Keep in mind, this was not a compound fracture that required surgery, a simple distal radius fracture.
I would have given 0-1 stars if it weren't for his medical assistant, Taylor Luis. She has been extremely pleasant and helpful. When I called for my request for medical records to be sent to another doctor, she was very polite and understanding, not offended that I'm taking my business elsewhere. If I could review just her, I would give her 5 stars.