I am a senior who has been having severe double achilles tendinitis since Oct. 2020, with visibly bulging tendons, and was doing the recommended stretching exercises, but on Feb 7, 2021 when hospitals were full with Covid patients and before vaccinations were available here, I cracked the articulation of my heel bone. And the ER's was not taking mere fractures. The office surgery under local recommended for me by the one doctor I did actually meet: Dr. Yun, seemed reasonable, but soon it became clear by they tests required, that I was being misled. When I demanded particulars on the the surgery, a Dr. Surdock, who I had never met, described a surgery that involved full anesthesia and a lot of screws for a full fusion, but I knew that was not likely to survive that, and if I did, it would not address my pesky achilles tendinitis. So I contacted UCSF medical school, and shared my X-ray. I was send full study material, as they were also not able accept non-emergency patients. Is was clearly illustrated that this surgery was not recommended for those over 60, and especially not for me, since I am missing a heart valve. So I had no choice but to refuse. Both doctors threatened me over the phone with being declared unable to make decisions for myself if I did not have this surgery. I responded to each that I had the right to a 2nd opinion. Dr. Surdock responded that I would not be able to see another specialist under Medicare rules, because she had "already had it all billed out." Indeed, when, by phone, my clinic made an appt. for my 2nd. opinion, Dr. Jason Novic' office confirmed that "I was already Dr. Surdock's patient and he could not get involved." So, now it is June 16, 2021, and I have had no care at all. The break has healed on its own as the UCSF literature said it would, but the tendinitis is as disabling as it has been for the last 8 months. And, worse, I had had already had the MRI scan, no contrast, of just the 4" of my ankle, (it took 4 seconds) and I was billed almost $13,000, not including the reading, etc. Nor did I ever receive a copy or any benefit from this scan, and, even though, I was told it would be less than $5,000. My copay was 20%, and of all the $300 phone calls, and bills from a dozen other doctors I never met, and it has taken my small savings while I am still receiving more bills in the mail dated from Feb. 2021. And I never received any actual care for my painful achilles tendons, nor for my cracked heel bone joint that left me on crutches for 3 months. I just received threats, bills and grief. My primary clinic did get me vaccinated, for which I am grateful, but it would be nice to be able to walk again normally without the searing pain in both heels. read more
