My Claim vs. Reno Orthopedic Dispute

The mailing address is 555 Arlington Ave Reno, NV 89503. Their number is 775-778-5242

Admit labs-normal

Abnormal labs everyday after admit

More abnormal labs

Compression devices that were left on for 5 days even after I complained about severe leg pain and asked to have them removed, arterial spasms, chest numbness, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, low O2 sats, tachycardia and abnormal labs

Pain and sleep scale showing I was constantly sleeping and in pain. I was unconscious from the pain a lot of the time and unconscious from lack of oxygen a lot of the time

Normal urine pre admit. No further comment on urine was ever made or lab available. Urine after this for weeks was brick red indicating rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibers being released into the bloodstream and into the kidneys)

Hospital records

Hospital record showing unable to transfer and O2 sats of 84% and 93% and 93% on 3 consecutive days

Shows resting heart rate of 101 on 2 consecutive days and o2 sats of 90% on room air and 92% on 2 liters of oxygen , and again 96% on 2 liters on oxygen

Nursing notes complaints of leg pain , nausea, vomiting

Post op day 2. Nursing notes. Drowsy. Complaints of pain 6/10., numbness to upper chest-present for days, respirations shallow with wheezes

More post op day 1. Drowsy, o2sat 95% on 2liter oxygen-should be higher on 2 liter. complains of spasm from back all the way to neck (doesn't make since-she wrote it wrong. Maybe on purpose. It was suppose to read spasm "from feet to back" It says the valium provided very minimal relief. It actually provided none. It wasn't increased back pain. It was increased leg pain. That's because it was arterial spasms -not muscle spasms. I can't tell if below it says no leg pain or leg pain

More nursing notes

Showing that the IV and SCD/compression devices were on for 5 days- this has 4 days on it

Nursing notes showing pale when laying down, pale and hypotensive when they tried to get me up, depressed, nausea, vomited twice, complaints of leg pain and ?

Temp. I often had a temp-another symptom of compartment syndrome. My normal is 96.6. 0 BM. O0 surprise since I didn't have one for 13 days even though the doctor claims I did. And spasms again

Physical therapy notes. Unable to ambulate. Tried twice. Increased pain in legs too severe

Physical therapy. O2 sats 81%, heart rate 95, lethargic, impaired safety, focused in pain and unable to participate,

complains of numbness to chest

2 of their surgeons performed surgery on me that resulted in bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome. A 3rd surgeon from this group along with these 2 ignored the signs and symptoms and my pleas to remove compression devices that were too tight causing the compartment syndrome. They were left on for 5 days also resulting in the need for oxygen and IV fluids for 5 days due to hypoxia, acidosis, rhabdomyolysis. Admit labs were all normal and soon became abnormal and stayed that way throughout the hospitalization. Many labs came up missing. Over the course of the next few months of them falsifying records my pc doctor began putting me on several meds I hadn't previously had the need for due to severe pain and spasms, swelling. I then required an implanted nerve stimulator. The physical therapist that was working with me at the hospital said he had never seen anyone in that much pain from back surgery and that he wasn't going to touch me until the doctor looked at me. I never saw him again. When I spoke with the head nurse at the hospital she informed me she was sorry and that all the nurses on the floor had to take a class on compartment syndrome because of what happened to me. The hospital administrator said I was going to ruin their reputation. I spoke with a lawyer who said he wished he could help me but it would be a conflict of interest because his firm already represented the orthopedic group but what they did to me was bull. Basically the only people who knew what happened either wouldn't or couldn't talk about it. They want to save their reputation and that's all they care about. Because everyone wants to believe a doctor over a patient and because it was back surgery it took a yr (same as statute of limitations) it was easy for them to blame leg pain on irritated nerves. After that other doctors started getting suspicious and doing tests. That's when they found out what I already knew. That I have neuropathy, arterial and venous insufficiency (especially where the devices started and ended) lymph damage, ruptured tendons. I have the paperwork, exams and tests to back all this up but because of the "Keep Drs In Nevada Initiative" the doctors own the state. 2017/2018 I developed multiple pulmonary embolisms (blood clots) in both lungs from impaired circulation and possibly pain pump implant due to compartment syndrome damage. Now on long term blood thinner

Patient observations heart rate 77-103. o2 sats 92% to 96% on 2 liters oxygen

Patient observations. O2 sat 90% ,92% ,94% even with oxygen, pale, Weak, fatigue, temp

Vital signs. Abnormals are in yellow. Meal intake is at bottom. I was unable to eat or move due to pain and spasms. Had 25% breakfast 1 morning because my dad came from out of town and fed me part breakfast. Bowel movements are marked below that. Notice there is none marked

After all this here's the doctors letter stating the hospital course was unremarkable without complications, good strength and sensation in lower extremities, tolerating a diet, moving bowel without difficulty, no shortness of breath or chest pain. Just a few things wrong with that statement

Implanted nerve stim pic 1

Implanted nerve stim pic 2

Implanted nerve stim pic 3

Implanted nerve stim pic 4. I had to have 18 staples in my abdomen and 12 in my back. The surgery was done in San Fran. My ride backed out last minute so I had to drive myself home (5 hr drive) The battery will have to be replaced periodically for the rest of my life which will require surgery each time (3-7 yrs). I also require 5 different meds to keep the pain under control and this will also be a lifetime thing. I have to see orthopedics, neurosugeons, vascular specialists, pain specialists

med record 1

Med records 2

Med records 3

Med records 4

Med records 5

Med records 6

Med records stating ischemic peripheral neuropathy associated with compartment syndrome

Med records 7

Soft tissue abnormalities. May be having surgery for scar tissue/nerve entrapment related to this soon. Related to the compartment syndrome causing the scar tissue/ischemic tissue

Med records questioning the hospital labs and compartment syndrome

Ortho notes

Neuro notes

Ortho notes. Compartment syndrome and has meds. Have changed from Neurontin to Topamax 200 mg, Kadian is now 60 mg bid and they forgot the Valium 5 mg bid. Vicodin is the same but sometimes requires more and ambien is the same

ER notes 5 months after surgery which caused compartment syndrome. Have dozens of E.R reports from when current meds not effective and pain gets way out of control or swelling gets hard as a rock past knees. Primary doctor thought I was in heart failure and sent me to E.R and I tried to tell him it was just the compartment syndrome acting up. He wouldn't believe me until after I was put through a battery of cardiac testing and monitoring. I have been that a few times with a couple doctors because the swelling gets so bad. This is what a cover up does

Referral to vascular surgery- Had arteriogram done

Documentation of showing arterial insufficiency and unpalpable femoral, popliteal, and pedal pulses pg one

Pg 24 showing arterial insufficiency

Records showing arterial insuffiency

Records showing venous incompetence

Records showing compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome records

Have been either to the clinic or E.R almost daily for past 2 weeks. They think the increasing pain is due to nerve/ artery entrapment by scar tissue from the compartment syndrome. Either way I can no longer drive or ride as a passenger, cannot sit in a chair. I have to lay in a recliner or sit somewhere I can have my leg up with pillows supporting it. And it is still in pain 24/7 and I cannot afford to take off work. Worse I moved and the doctors here do not want to give me my meds. The whole thing has been a nightmare. Bad enough these doctors were negligent in letting it get this far but by dishonest, covering it up to protect their reputations it has made it hell on me to get the care I need and enjoy life

Drs Brett Menmuir, John Halki, are the surgeons who did the surgery and post care/decided not to remove the intermittent compression devices when I was having all the signs/symptoms of compartment syndrome. Dr Richard Blakey was reported to by the nurses about the symptoms and my complaints and also decide not to remove the devices but never did an assessment. At the time they were all employed with Reno Orthopedics. The surgery was done at Washoe Medical which I thought was a good place up till then
they also have a trauma center) The state medical board was no help and the nurse at Health and Human Quality Services either was covering for the hospital or is so dumb she has no business working there. She said she couldn't find anything in the hospital records attached below.

Have been to 11 medical appts, including 3 E.R visits in the past 3 weeks due to complications from the compartment syndrome and increased pain. 9/4/15 the pain was so intense that my face , arms and chest went numb for 3 hrs, my blood pressure dropped and my pulse was racing. I almost passed out 3 times and had to be picked up from work. I have referrals next week for pain management, neurology and ortho trauma

Ortho trauma referral from E.R due to increasing pain from compartment syndrome complications

Have an appointment scheduled the first week of May 2016 for a trial pain pump surgery due to the untreated compartment syndrome. Have required over 20 E.R visits in the past 9 months. Pain has become so intense that I lost feeling in my chest and arms on 3 occasions. My doctor has added 2 more meds to keep the neuropathy, spasms under control so that I can get more than 3 hrs of sleep at night. This will involve 2 more incisions and the final implantation of the pain pump will require a 6 inch incision in the abdomen and a 3 inch incision to the back, not to mention the bruising/pain from running the leads under my skin. The constant ischemia leads to more muscle/lymph/vessel damage, loss of sleep and pleasurable activities, employment. It is scary that Nevada enables it's doctors to be irresponsible, neglectful, abusive and cover it up. "Keep doctors in Nevada Initiative" does not benefit patients! Imagine a person inducing excruciating pain to another person every 5 minutes for 5 days without a break. And refusing to remove the source of pain, thus taking away the persons ability to remove them self from this pain because it is so great. This person would be locked up for assault, torture, kidnapping. Yet, this is exactly what happened and because they are doctors and have more money, they got away with it

Picture of spinal tap (top hole) and insertion point of trial pain pump catheter (lower left hole). The spinal tap was not comfortable and I felt like I had been kicked by a horse at the catheter insertion site. Also during the procedure the catheter hit my sciatic nerve several time sending bursts of sharp pain down my leg. After the meds wore off, I was hit with an intense wave of pain and barely made it to the car after hospitalization. All in all the trial was a success and am waiting for insurance authorization for the final surgery

Dear Ms. McKamy,



The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners is in receipt of your complaint regarding Reno Orthopaedic Clinic. Additional information is needed before we can determine if our Board has jurisdiction to investigate the matter.



Please contact me via email or phone at your earliest convenience.



Sincerely,

Mollie Miller



Mollie Miller

Deputy Chief of Investigations

Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

(775) 324-9371

(775) 688-2553 Fax

mtmiller@medboard.nv.govAdd your information here

Prior note is from Nevada State Board Of Medical Examiners. This is my second contact with them in which they did nothing. They did not do a proper investigation, nor review records or speak with witnesses. They are lazy in their jobs and will always side with the medical profession rather than perform their job correctly. The only time the Board , media , attorneys put any effort into malpractice is when there is a class action law suit involving dozens to hundreds of patients/clients.

Main incision for intrathecal pain pump surgery March 2017 for misdiagnosed/untreated bilat leg/thigh compartment syndrome

2nd lateral incision for intrathecal pain pain for misdiagnosed/untreated bilat leg/thigh compartment syndrome

3rd back incision for intrathecal pain pump related to misdiagnosed/untreated bilat leg/thigh compartment syndrome

Trial pump was successful, but due to cardiac/respiratory issues (possibly induced or complicated by all the meds to control missed compartment syndrome effects or impaired circulation-also a late effect) during 2 hospitalizations for pump placement, pump dosage was reduced by 75%. Back at square one until I get a cardiology release. The cardiologist ordered lab, EKG, Cardiac Stress Testing, 72 HR Holter Monitor, 2 wk Zio Patch monitor, Echo Cardiogram, bilateral Carotid Arteriograms, Over Night Sleep Study. So far this delay has cost me over $3180 per month in lost wages (Difference in wages and Temp Disability) Going on 6 months this round ($19,080 and counting) This does not include time, travel, gas, food, hotel, loss in activities/hobbies/relationships and PAIN! If the head ortho nurse and a hospital lawyer can apologize and admit what happened-why doesn't Reno Orthopedics or Washoe Med have the decency to stand up, accept their mistake, apologize and at the very least, pick up the resulting medical bills? Their attorney and hospital administrator said it was about reputation. Your reputation would be in better shape if you did the Right thing. I have no reason to not speak up and have signed no confidentiality agreement. Therefore, I will share with anyone and everyone no matter how many threatening letters you have your attorneys mail my way! I was smart enough to obtain most of my files before they were destroyed (supposedly lost) Have started a short book about my experience, tests and procedures I've had to endure, meds, surgeries and implants, the effects it has had on my life and those of my family/friends. My hopes are to get this book out to as many medical programs as possible. This would especially include EMTs. Paramedics, Physicians going into ER, Surgical, Neuro, Ortho, and Vascular, Registered Nurses, Surgical Techs, anesthesiologists. Although compartment syndrome (missed or discovered) is not uncommon, many physicians/surgeons have NEVER seen a case in their career and are ill equipped to recognize/treat it properly. It is easy for hospitals to cover it up by blaming symptoms on other diagnosis, (losing) records, being deceitful, threatening and ignoring patients. If it were a class action suit , it would be a whole different story. The lawyers would be jumping to get on board but one persons pain/suffering is not enough in Nevada where they have "Keep Doctors In Nevada Initiative"