The doctor we waited so long for was a jerk.
We've been waiting for almost a year to get Mark in to see a doctor for his scoliosis, and we finally got to see him last week.
Both Mark and I had this dreadful feeling as soon as he came in the room and opened his mouth.
He said to us, "You do understand that I'm doing this as a favor to my friend Dr. W."
Then he proceeded to tell us that he's a chiropractor, not an orthopedic, then he asked us a few questions but would not let me answer, he wanted Mark to answer all of the questions but Mark honestly doesn't even know how to pronounce the things that are wrong with his spine, or where the genetic defects are and what they are.
After he realized that Mark couldn't answer him, he let out this huge sigh and said "Fine, you tell me what the other doctor told you is wrong with your son."
I told him what the other orthopedist said, what and where the genetic defects are, and that it's been proven that scoliosis is a genetic disorder, it's hereditary, to which he told me "That's poppycock!"
I told him that it was NOT poppycock, that DNA testing of scoliosis patients had found genetic factors for the risk of curve progressions.
"This study demonstrates that for the first time genetic factors can be used to accurately quantify the risk of scoliosis curve progression," said Kenneth Ward, MD,..."
He again told me that scoliosis was not genetic and that no such study had been done.
I replied to him that I myself had taken part in a DNA test for determining if it was genetic and hereditary, and he just brushed me off.
He then asked Mark about playing sports to which Mark replied that he dislikes sports, he doesn't even like watching sports, never mind actually play any.
The doctor told us that's "The problem, you're lazy, you need to play sports, join the military, get active and your spine will correct itself."
He then wanted to do a physical and he asked me to leave the room so I left and went outside to wait.
When Mark was finished, he came outside and told me that the doctor said that he just needs to be more active, come back for some spinal adjustments, and that "your mother is manic".
So basically, he told us that Mark is lazy and he needs to join the military or play sports and his spine will be fine, and that I'm a nutcase!
He also told us that we need to go to the free county clinic and they will take care of him, but that Mark's whole problem is that he's lazy and that he does not have scoliosis.
Needless to say I am NOT happy at all, the man was a complete jerk!
I've taken Mark to three different orthopedics and now this guy, and the three orthopedics all say that he does have scoliosis, and this guy says that he doesn't have it and that he's just lazy and his spine will fix itself.
I've been so upset about this that I found myself bitter and angry for the last few days, just furious really, I mean, the guy was an absolute ass!
Join the military?!
The army would do the physical and deny him immediately, the police academy has refused him based on his xrays, so why would the military take him?
Just to have a warm body?!
Ugh!
So that's what happened, why I've been so upset and silent, he was rude, condescending, just an absolute jerk, and so now I'm back on the hunt for another doctor to try and help my son.
I'm tired and frustrated, I was so hopeful that he was going to help and he was just a jerk.

Comments
What an ass. They have even figured out the gene. I would have told this jerk to do a google search. Chiropractors think they know better. Exercise. Really? 4 extremely painful surgeries and countless months in body casts and braces could all have been prevented with exercise and a few chiropactic adjustments. Right...The National Scoliosis Foundation and other have done work to debunk their BS claim that they can cure scoliosis. That is why it is so important that people like you blog and/or share experiences online in support group forums. Geez as if it isn't hard enough.
Posted by: ann | March 8, 2011 8:47 PM
Damn Kat, that totally sucks! What is it with Doctors anymore, they've all turned into a bunch of asshats! I'm so sorry that all this stuff is going on! Miss you!
Posted by: Holly | March 8, 2011 8:50 PM
I hear ya. My wife has gone through some of that too when some idiot doctors seem to insist that fibromyalgia isn't a real thing. Jackasses.
Posted by: Patrick D. | March 8, 2011 10:02 PM
The problem is that doctors and chiropractors have had an ongoing feud going since chiropractic was first practiced.
The chiropractors think that everything that has to do with the spine can be cured with their methods and most doctors, orthopedics in particular, consider chiropractors to be little more than witch doctors.
The truth of course, is somewhere in the middle.
That said, this particular asshat is a shining example of the very worst in chiropractic medicine. He's got no business calling Mark lazy and saying that he needs to get out and play sports, join the military, Etc. I pity HIS kids if that is he's ever managed to stop being an antisocial asshat long enough to have any.
Posted by: Edward | March 9, 2011 12:04 AM
Dude. I would so report his ass. What a prick. I am sorry that you had to, yet again, deal with some incompetent, smarmy douchebag.
ARGH.
Posted by: Jen | March 9, 2011 7:39 AM
I know what you are talking about. I have been told by some doctors that I know just enough to be a trouble maker
So prove me wrong then. Do tests and prove me wrong but they can't so they do little. You know that Mark has spine troubles and he should try to be active but not to hurt him just for exercise if you don not like sports then you do not like sports. Report that doctor and find one who has promised to do no harm. Love You!!!!
Posted by: Mom | March 11, 2011 8:02 AM
What a dick!
I'm sure there's a chiropractor out there somewhere that is not full of shit. BUT, this guy ain't him.
Never return to this doctor.
Posted by: mac | March 14, 2011 2:39 PM