Last week, I was referred to Dr. John G. DeSantis of Desert Orthopedic Center in La Quinta, CA, for evaluation and treatment of severe knee pain accompanied by moderate-to-severe mobility issues. I picked up copies of me MRI's and x-rays and the accompanying written results a couple of days prior to my appointment and saw there were listed on those results several abnormalities I didn't understand. I went to Dr. DeSantis expecting clear explanations of each of those abnormalities, as well as information regarding how I developed those issues, whether they could be reversed or repaired, how they might impact my life in the future, all available treatment options, and advice as to the best course of treatment and/or any lifestyle changes that may improve my quality of life. Dr. DeSantis fell far short of meeting any of those expectations.
Upon meeting me, Dr. DeSantis did not seem at all familiar with my case. He took a glance at only one of the three x-rays I'd provided and then ordered two more x-rays to be performed there. After the new x-rays were taken, Dr. DeSantis glanced at those and said, nonchalantly, "You're missing about half the cartilage in your right knee." Without providing any further details about what this meant or how it might progress, he mentioned only three treatment options, ibuprofen, cortisone shots, and total knee replacement. He told me he could do a cortisone injection that day, but that he doubted it would make much difference. I asked what cortisone was and what it did and the only additional information he provided was "It might make it hurt less." I asked for information about the total knee replacement and he said, without any explanation, that he wouldn't consider that for another ten years. When I asked why he wouldn't consider it for another ten years, his response was simply "You don't need it." That conclusion seemed premature to me, since he hadn't asked me any questions about my quality of life, nor even viewed all my tests and their results.
I attempted to ask more questions about the total knee replacement, as well as the MRI results that he had neither viewed nor mentioned, but he seemed to have become angry with me. His face reddened, his voice raised, his body posture became aggressive and he began attempting to belittle and demean me. He called my questions and comments "stupid." He dismissed my pain as insignificant because I choose not to take the maximum daily dose of ibuprofen every day. Dr. DeSantis went on to criticize my physician-recommended use of cannabis for pain management, saying "Cannabis doesn't do anything, but you take THAT every day." When I brought up my mobility issues, he dismissed them, grumbling "You walked in here just fine," even though I am nearly certain he did not witness my entrance.
I was so shocked by his behavior that I asked "Have I somehow offended you by asking questions about my health and treatment options?" He shouted "You haven't asked me anything! You're just telling me things and you don't know what you're talking about!" I saw no point in continuing an appointment with a doctor who was being, in my opinion, both hostile and abusive. I told him I thought his behavior was completely inappropriate and I left, knowing nothing more about my condition than I had known before I entered his office. Now, I'm faced with more delays in my treatment and disruptions to my life while I await approval to see a different, hopefully more professional and compassionate, orthopedic specialist. read more
