I have never had any injury or pain before related to my hands and wrists, I have worked hard all of my life in construction, farming, etc. Several months ago I went to work for a company in Missouri that produces chicken. After one week of work I started experiencing severe pain in my hands with swelling in the wrists. After several weeks the pain had moved into numbness and pain that would shoot up my arm.
I was sent to a nearby town to a physician who gave me some medication and then referred me to an orthopedic surgeon when medication was not enough.
The company made my appointment with Dr. Esch of Midwest Orthopaedic Surgery Inc.in Joplin Missouri. I have never been spoken to by any physician with as much rancor and disrespect as I was by this man. After taking an x-ray of my hand he told me " you have had a previous injury". He accused me of claiming the injury was work-related when I actually had a previous condition. His words inferred that I was just broken down and old. When I told him it was not true, he dismissed my statement as a lie. He then told me that I needed to go find another job.
Dr. Esch offered no information or help at all to me about how to eliminate the pain, what steps I could take to move ahead, or any other practical advice that a doctor should offer. I believe he has a bias of opinion. Whether this bias is bought with corporate money or comes from his practice I do not know. I do know that he is not a doctor that should be sought out by any person who needs healthcare.
The doctor does not care about his patients. He does care about keeping his corporate client happy. Dr Esch signed the paperwork, upon which "workers comp" and the company name was written large, as ready for full duty. If I am lucky I might be able to continue to work for a while longer at the company, I have changed positions to something less stressful on my hands. I need the job and jobs don't come easy around here. If you are looking for a good doctor please do not make an appointment with this man. An online rating service is available that shows other people agree with me.
0 comments