"Idiopathic scoliosis consultation for spinal surgery"

I had a consultation with a consultant who neither gave their name nor recorded any of the conversation in writing.  I told them that I was in excruciating pain in my back, neck and extremities.  This was what had brought me to see them.

My initial impression was that it was a well organised department.  I saw people being called and told to have an x-ray prior to their appointment.  When I was called, I was taken with my carer to a very small and cramped room marked Changing Rooms. 

The consultant came in and didn’t examine me at any point.  I told them my history - which is long, and my hopes for surgery.  I told them that my pain was affecting every aspect of my daily life.  I told them the numerous tests and assessments I had been given before seeing them that day.

The consultant seemed disinterested, and suggested that scoliosis surgery is usually performed as a cosmetic procedure.  I said that I knew that early stage treatment is done as a preventative measure, but I was beyond that.  

I felt they weren’t listening to anything I was saying about my quality of life at present, nor did they listen to my carers words.  

I have lived with my condition for most of my life without too much cause to complain. Until recently I was always treated with respect within the health service. I felt this consultant was very obstructive and refused to listen to me, merely pointing out the pitfalls of surgery for my condition.  I told them that I had quite a lot of knowledge about my condition and that I felt that at this point, surgery would alleviate much of my constant pain.  My carer was with me throughout, and even she was exasperated by the total disregard of any evidence that was presented.

The consultant told me that I might have to consider pain management.  I said that I had attended pain management sessions previously. Physiotherapy was suggested. I have attended many physiotherapy sessions.  I wouldn’t like it to be offered to anyone that may be in a similar position after having tried all other physical options? I did have an MRI imaging at another hospital prior which gave a very good indication of the extent of the problem.

I had spent years on various waiting lists to get to this very crucial meeting. I felt that the consultant did not listen to me, they said they knew my history, though it seemed they had not read my case notes. I felt they talked down to me throughout the consultation and left me feeling like I had wasted their time

I’m left feeling utterly dejected and I wasn’t even given an x-ray so they could clearly see the state of my upper spine, which is now in the degenerative state 

I came away with nothing from the appointment except confusion and unhappiness.