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prit. When told the news, many patients are adamant and insist that I
missed the tear. They're quick to inform me that they read on the
Internet that their symptoms are totally consistent with a "tear of the
posterior horn of the medial meniscus." They failed to mention that
they visited 'Joe's meniscus website' for their information. Joe received
his training at Organic Green Homeopathic Institute, and is double-
boarded in acupuncture and mixology.
• 'The accident did not cause it!' For the select few workers' compensa-
tion patients I have the blessing to treat, the claim for compensation
for injury is naturally based on causation. Since the accident at work
was the root of all evil, patients are determined to prove that all their
symptoms are a direct result of the, ahem, I-N-J-U-R-Y. After arthro-
scoping a workers' compensation patient's shoulder, I may find that
the rotator cuff tear was the size of West Philly and clearly present for
years. The patient needs to know that the fall off the ladder last
month was not the sole cause of the disability! I just realized that I
opened the door to reams of litigation-related paperwork and count-
less phone inquiries and depositions. However, Sister Angela Patrice
would have been proud I told the truth.
Nothing but the truth
In this age of spins and damage-control renditions of the truth, some
of us have to take a stand and tell it like it really is. Patients merely
deserve to know the truth, no matter how hard it may be to convey it.
When we tell the truth, we Catholics in recovery do sidestep the fear
of a yardstick crashing on our heads — but we will all sleep better!
OSM
Dr. Kelly (johndak4@gmail.com) is an orthopedic surgeon/sports-shoulder specialist
who practices in Philadelphia, Pa.
