Doctors in PA area?

[lrpfeil]

I am looking for a good doctor in the Lancaster PA areas, Harrisburg/Hershey/Philadelphia/Baltimore anything like that would do. For a really good doctor I'd go farther! I'd like to be followed at this point. I don't think I need surgery now but I will probably need it eventually.

Thanks!

[Sharshe]

Hey,
I went to the Rothman Institute in Philly (they're part of Thomas Jefferson University). I know Briarrose (she out your way) went to Dr Fras, I think he's associated with the Main Line hospitals. Hope this helps.
Sharon

[Snoopy]

Hi Lynn,

I would suggest checking into Dr. Peppelman. He is associated with the Arlington Group and they are located in Union Deposit.

Because my daughter will be a month shy of 18 when she is due for her next check-up, I've made an appointment for her with Dr. Peppelman.

I'm not famiiar with the adult doctors at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, but that would also be a good place to go.

Mary Lou

[lrpfeil]

THANKS for the information!

[briarrose]

Hi,

I'm in the PA area and like Sharon said, Dr. Fras did my surgery. He's in Broomall and I absolutely love him. I saw Dr. Brad Weiner at Hershey a few years ago. He was nice but didn't seem concerned at the time. I also so Dr. Porter in Lancaster and Dr. Albert at Rothman. Dr. Albert did my aunt's surgery. She really liked him. I liked him too and he's considered one of the best. I just preferred Dr. Fras (extremely personable, kind). He was the first doctor I saw who took my situation seriously. Good luck!

Shell

[lrpfeil]

I saw Dr. Porter...once...it was NOT a good experience.

I'm looking for someone knowledgeable in dealing with people like me who have had LONG fusions...and may need surgery again eventually...hopefully artificial disc or something OTHER than fusion at my remaining unfused lumbar level.


So, to all who have responded, are these docs good for someone like me? With a previous LONG fusion?

Just checking. THANKS!

[briarrose]

I saw Dr. Porter...once...it was NOT a good experience.

I'm looking for someone knowledgeable in dealing with people like me who have had LONG fusions...and may need surgery again eventually...hopefully artificial disc or something OTHER than fusion at my remaining unfused lumbar level.


So, to all who have responded, are these docs good for someone like me? With a previous LONG fusion?

Just checking. THANKS!

Sorry about the bad experience with Dr. Porter. I ended up leaving his office crying after every appointment.

Dr. Albert would probably be the most experienced with long fusions. I know Dr. Fras has experience with them too.

[debbei]

Sorry about the bad experience with Dr. Porter. I ended up leaving his office crying after every appointment.

Dr. Albert would probably be the most experienced with long fusions. I know Dr. Fras has experience with them too.

That guy must be a real jerk for both of you to dislike him so much! I swear, some of these doctors need a smack up-side the head. :D I'll put him in the same category as my former short-term doctor, who I christened "Dr. Dumbell".

[Robinjane]

Lynn, I am from the Philadelphia area. I also had my back surgery: laminectomy, posterior and anterior spinal fusions with Harrington rods done at AI duPont in 1973 by Dean McEwen. I was involved in a car accident but underwent the typical scoliosis surgery. I have had virtually no problems for over 30 years until recently. I also have experienced the left buttock radiating pain and have been receiving injections, which have helped. My plan is to interview as many docs as possible before making and decisions about surgery. So far, I have met with Darryl Antonacci in Lawrenceville NJ, Frank Cammisa at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NY, David Clements at Cooper Hospital, NJ, and James Harrop, neurosurgeon at Jefferson Hospital in Philly. I have upcoming appointments with Dr. Tartarian a neurologist at Jefferson and Dr. Boachi at the Hospital for Special Surgery, NY. I recently had cat scans, mylograms and an MRI. My reason for all of these interviews is because Dr. Antonacci wants to completely reconstruct my back by essentially breaking my existing fusion (T12-L4/Harrington rods from T10-L5 Rt and T11-L4 left) using pedicle screws and cages. Pretty scary thought. He said that I would be out of work for 6 months , if I went thru the surgery. He does his surgery at Lenox Hill in mid town Manhatten. I would love to hear more about your situation and search.
Robinjane

[briarrose]

That guy must be a real jerk for both of you to dislike him so much! I swear, some of these doctors need a smack up-side the head. :D I'll put him in the same category as my former short-term doctor, who I christened "Dr. Dumbell".

To me, he was really polite but wasn't concerned in the slightest about my progressing curve. One of the doctors I saw for pain management was the worst. He told me I must have been dropped on my head as a kid. I then heard him making fun of me and repeated the same thing he said to me to one of his nurses. I was appalled and thankfully able to keep from bawling until I got to my car. We should start some sort of "Do Not Call" list for scoliosis people so they can avoid these situations.

[debbei]

To me, he was really polite but wasn't concerned in the slightest about my progressing curve. One of the doctors I saw for pain management was the worst. He told me I must have been dropped on my head as a kid. I then heard him making fun of me and repeated the same thing he said to me to one of his nurses. I was appalled and thankfully able to keep from bawling until I got to my car. We should start some sort of "Do Not Call" list for scoliosis people so they can avoid these situations.

OMG I am speechless. I can't believe that any medical professional would say that. Someone needs to drop HIM on his head. :(

[lrpfeil]

Thanks everyone! I haven't check in here for a few days! Regarding Dr. Porter, I hate to speak ill of him ;) but I also left there and wept! My right leg is longer than my left and he was convinced it was the other way around and didn't believe otherwise until after a series of rather painful xrays. AND he never admitted he was actually wrong. Then he essentially complained about how long he had spent with me (into his dictaphone in my presence) and then he insisted I come back for another appointment although he had nothign more to say. It was apparent that he wanted to get paid again for my "really long first visit" which only would happen if I returned again....He was NO help whatsoever and I just left there feeling totally crappy.

I don't think I need surgery any time soon. I would just like to be seen by someone who understands the complications of long fusions and could accurately assess my situation rather than wanting to rush into surgery.

[lrpfeil]

RobinJane it is SO cool to "meet" someone who had surgery where I did, with the same surgeon around the same time! Wasn't that place COOL???? With the murals in the wards and all!!! And I believe Dr. McEwen was an EXCELLENT surgeon and I am thankful that he did such a good job on me! My fusion has held up very well. I think my only problem is the ramifications of having so much of me fused, rather than with the fusion itself!

[albsmom]

About a year ago I saw Dr. Cohen at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. He was ok. I have heard that his colleague Dr. Kebaish is excellent - great bedside manner, fabulous surgeon, etc....I will be making my next "watch and wait" appointment with Dr. Kebaish. Hope that information helps.

[pmsmom]

My 16 year old dd is seeing Dr. William Lauerman at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. He follows teens and adults. We live in south central PA about an hour from Baltimore.

Welcome to the list!
Marian

[Quiltpro]

I have to add to the problems people have had with Dr. Porter....I had actually had him prior for a fractured 2nd metatarsul bone in my right foot--and didn't care for him then. Here's what happened then: Had the walking boot on for 5 weeks, then he said I could take it off "but take it easy"--okay, I took it easy--but his idea of taking it easy and my idea were obviously different--I rebroke the foot in 2 weeks and went back to him and he yelled at me for doing too much--so I said--well, what did you mean by "take it easy"--he said, sit in your chair and don't do anything! Sorry, that's "stay off your feet" not "take it easy".

Anyway--yesterday I went to him for my back. 4 years ago I was told I have scoliosis, end of subject. Last December, I spent a week in the hospital in excrutiating pain--after a CT scan, MRI, Nuclear scan and 3 sets of xrays--they could not figure out what was causing the pain--I do have problems, 3 OLD herniated discs, scoliosis (which Dr. Porter says does not cause pain), arthritis in my spine and degenerative bone disease--none of which they said should cause this excrutiating pain. I went through physical therapy (made it worse), live on oxycodine and percoset for 3 months. Finally got relief from the pain clinic--had 6 injections in the facets of my lower back--but they are not going to last forever. I thought I needed some kind of a brace--because I list way to the left especially when trying to stand/walk for any length of time. I asked my family Dr who I should see and he said Dr Porter. So I made the appt.....he was sure it was the herniated disc--so put me through more xrays which after they manipulated my right leg to take the xray, I couldn't put weight on it...nothing extraordinary on the xray--he pondered over it and then had another set of xrays done. He came in and looked and looked for at least 5 minutes. Turned to me and said, well, I can fuse your lower back and hope that takes care of it! WHAT?? He doesn't even have a clue why I have pain and at that point--was not addressing my listing to the left. I said what is involved in the surgery? He said--oh, I don't explain that--I'll have my nurse tell you! Yikes--I was ready to bolt at that point--can't even take the time to tell me what he was going to do--so after I talked to his person (not even his nurse)--I said, don't bother to waste anyone's time setting up the surgery--it wasn't going to happen. I went home and ordered myself a brace on the internet. Sorry this is so long!

[debbei]

I have to add to the problems people have had with Dr. Porter....I had actually had him prior for a fractured 2nd metatarsul bone in my right foot--and didn't care for him then. Here's what happened then: Had the walking boot on for 5 weeks, then he said I could take it off "but take it easy"--okay, I took it easy--but his idea of taking it easy and my idea were obviously different--I rebroke the foot in 2 weeks and went back to him and he yelled at me for doing too much--so I said--well, what did you mean by "take it easy"--he said, sit in your chair and don't do anything! Sorry, that's "stay off your feet" not "take it easy".

Anyway--yesterday I went to him for my back. 4 years ago I was told I have scoliosis, end of subject. Last December, I spent a week in the hospital in excrutiating pain--after a CT scan, MRI, Nuclear scan and 3 sets of xrays--they could not figure out what was causing the pain--I do have problems, 3 OLD herniated discs, scoliosis (which Dr. Porter says does not cause pain), arthritis in my spine and degenerative bone disease--none of which they said should cause this excrutiating pain. I went through physical therapy (made it worse), live on oxycodine and percoset for 3 months. Finally got relief from the pain clinic--had 6 injections in the facets of my lower back--but they are not going to last forever. I thought I needed some kind of a brace--because I list way to the left especially when trying to stand/walk for any length of time. I asked my family Dr who I should see and he said Dr Porter. So I made the appt.....he was sure it was the herniated disc--so put me through more xrays which after they manipulated my right leg to take the xray, I couldn't put weight on it...nothing extraordinary on the xray--he pondered over it and then had another set of xrays done. He came in and looked and looked for at least 5 minutes. Turned to me and said, well, I can fuse your lower back and hope that takes care of it! WHAT?? He doesn't even have a clue why I have pain and at that point--was not addressing my listing to the left. I said what is involved in the surgery? He said--oh, I don't explain that--I'll have my nurse tell you! Yikes--I was ready to bolt at that point--can't even take the time to tell me what he was going to do--so after I talked to his person (not even his nurse)--I said, don't bother to waste anyone's time setting up the surgery--it wasn't going to happen. I went home and ordered myself a brace on the internet. Sorry this is so long!

Quilt & others,

aside from the 'jerkiness' of this Dr. Porter, one real objection to him doing scoliosis surgery is the fact that he treats other orthopedic issues. For this type of surgery, it is best to have a reputable scoliosis specialist do the work. Not someone who does, feet, knees and backs on the side.

I can't get over the nerve of him to not take the time with you to explain. My surgeon took well over an hour with us the first time to explain and answer all our questions. Good luck finding someone else. Have you checked SRS? That's the best place to start:

http://www.srs.org/find/

[Quiltpro]

Quilt & others,

aside from the 'jerkiness' of this Dr. Porter, one real objection to him doing scoliosis surgery is the fact that he treats other orthopedic issues. For this type of surgery, it is best to have a reputable scoliosis specialist do the work. Not someone who does, feet, knees and backs on the side.

I can't get over the nerve of him to not take the time with you to explain. My surgeon took well over an hour with us the first time to explain and answer all our questions. Good luck finding someone else. Have you checked SRS? That's the best place to start:

http://www.srs.org/find/

Thanks for the link and information--I just printed it out and will certainly do my homework on them. I had some fairly extensive surgery done on my foot last October--the Dr Tuckman (of the same ortho group)--spent a very long time with me telling me exactly what he was going to do and what he might have to do if he found something else after he got in there and then AFTER the surgery, spent just as much time telling my husband and I exactly what he wound up doing! I felt very comfortable with him.

[dalmatica]

Hey all you AI duPonter's!!!! I was there in the seventie's too and had Dr. McEwen. I think I spelled that wrong. Did you go to school there too (in your bed)? I did.

My current dr. is in Pittsburgh if you want info.. He is great. Krysi