One of our other posters said it cost $19,000 US for a DC surgical operation.

That means $1,425,000 ($19,000x 750 patients) has not been spent on surgery.

Kinda makes me warm and fuzzy all over.

The Observer.

Your post had me in stitches Randy - especially the last part, '...if you can ignore that humming in your head for just a minute...' It's so true.

Observer

Folks:

Howard (a fine British fellow) and I talked at length about his experience with both the Good Dr. E. and the LA Surgeon that generally refers to anything new as "Snake Oil". (That's how I knew it was Dr. Xxxxxxxx.) Been there, done that with him. (He was 100% right about Veraprimill though)

So.....Howard and I have devised a proper letter to our favorite LA Knife Crafters. To be honest, if ever you loose a finger or two and can sort them out of the garbage, Dr. Xxxxxxx is the man you want to see. Just come in with your finger(s) on ice in a cooler and you'll leave with them attached and functioning. Yes, he may well walk on water. Sadly, however, he is as just as likely to respond to the following as he would to my previous attempt at humor:

Dear Dr. Xxxxxxxxxx,


In regard to my recent NA procedure I feel a moral obligation to both patients and the caring surgeons who treat them. On January 12/27/05 Dr. Charles Eaton performed NA to correct a 90 degree PIP contraction of my left pinkie. The results could not have been more striking. As you can see from the enclosed photos, my hand has almost returned to normal. I have absolutely no nerve damage and experienced only very slight pain as a result of this amazing procedure. I am not an unusual case. I have read the personal testimonies of many many others who have had similar results. I have my hand back without suffering any of the normal trauma of surgery. This is an immense breakthrough for the treatment of this disease.

Now that over 750 such procedures have been successfully performed in the US, it is amazing to me that it is taking so long for leading edge surgeons to take a serious and unbiased look at NA. I have no idea how NA could have anything other than an excellent reputation. Anything else is simply misinformation. I realize NA is a huge departure from the now traditional invasive surgery you perform. However, should the assertion be correct that NA is both safe and effective (as well as minimally invasive), your future patients deserve to know that a proven alternative exists. I believe a serious investigation of the facts by someone of your caliber will show that NA is exactly what I am saying it is. To this end I am available for your through reexamination of my hand, which as you know, previously had a 90 degree contraction.


Sincerely,

Howard XXXXXXX

We shall prevail........eventually.

RH

Dear Randy,

I like your idea of letter writing but wonder if we could do it on a larger scale ie: American Association for Hand Surgery www.handsurgery.org

Their mission statement includes the following '...highest quality of hand care through the development and sponsorship of educational programs related to the hand...'

Perhaps asking them to address NA from an 'educate their members' stand point. Responses like 'snake oil' makes a doctor look like an out-of-touch fools and patients need a proper answer to their questions about NA. Particularly when

1)the global medical community is publically accepting of NA (quotes from NICE),

2) there is a qualified hand surgeon in the states who performed over 750 of such procedures,

3) It is regularly performed in x number of countries (list them)

4) many american insurance companies are now paying for it (list them only if they have a separate code for NA) if you put the code for something the doctors have previously used then the impact of this statement migh not be as strong, and finally,

5) there are many many testimonies as to the success rate of the procedure - including our own.

Each person who sends the letter could send before and after photos of their own hand. Getting 50 letters with separate before/after pictures might be eye catching.

The American Accociation for Hand surgery could just be a first start. The letter could be carbon copied to the other associations/societies that they list on their website.

What do you think?

observer

Wayne,
It is also misleading and incorrect information. If it matters.