3 /5 Chad Johnson: I think the surgeon did an excellent job, no complaints. He was able to save the finger and relocate my nail bed (after a nasty crush injury).
On follow up care, I have to rate his PA as poor, she refused to recommend OT to regain function. It took three months or so to get to a hand therapist via intervention from the workers comp treating Dr, which resulted in lengthened and decreased recovery, in my opinion.
The OT I eventually got approved to see knew exactly who had refused to Rx OT without even giving her Dr.Avena’s P.A.’s name or having found it in my chart. I am not a physician, but do have an MA in therapeutic medical settings and have worked closely with Physicians, OT, PT, RT, RD (Dieticians) RN’s, and other medical team members, so have a good working knowledge of the PT model that must therapy disciplines have adopted.Basically, begin restoring function ASAP once stabilized through evidence based practice.
In closing, I’m happy with the surgeons work, but follow up substandard. It is not however in my purview to make clinical decisions regarding hand injuries, it is a specialty, and she made a clinical decision I disagree with.
That all said, Fresno Regional Hand Center did get me in promptly, and operated ten days after injury.
