Pediatric orthopedics

Posted by Leonard @jakedduck1, Mar 7, 2020

Does Mayo deal with Pediatric orthopedics?
My niece contacted mayo requesting her 15-year-old son be examined to try and get a diagnosis for his Pelvic problems. They refused to see him claiming he was receiving adequate care which I felt was a very irresponsible statement for them to make after more than five years with no diagnosis. My niece insisted on six MRI scans from the pelvis to the head. The neurosurgeon said there was no justification for a head scan but my niece insisted it be done and they found he had a brain tumor. However now that he’s healed from the brain surgery his hips are in no better shape now than what they were before. I’m just wondering if the reason he was refused treatment at Mayo Clinic was because they don’t have a Pediatric Orthopedic department. Although his doctors still have no diagnosis they think he needs a new hip which they claim can’t be done because he is still growing. Do they ever do hip replacements in children? Why would Mayo Clinic refuse to see him? Money is no problem at all.
Thank you,
Jake

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 8, 2020

Hi, @jakedduck1 - yes, Mayo Clinic does have pediatric orthopedics https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/childrens-center/doctors/by-specialty.

I’m sorry to hear that your nephew was not seen for his pelvic problems. It sounds like your sister took the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Likely Mayo physician experts have reviewed his case with their colleagues, and their review led them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for your nephew at this time. Mayo Clinic does not want patients to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if there is not care to offer that is different from what the patient is already receiving/has received.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 9, 2020

@lisalucier
I am just curious how doctors, supposedly the best, can believe 5+ years without a clue to diagnosis or justifiable treatment is receiving “adequate medical care.” A well adjusted 15-year-old goes from being very active to barely being able to walk or function and in extreme pain and that Mayo Clinic (if that statement did, in fact, come from doctors) how could anyone within your organization condone and make such an irresponsible statement provided they ever had the opportunity. I once called the Rochester facility and was inquiring about a child being admitted to the epilepsy center due to Status Epilepticus. I was promptly informed it was an adult center only which I later found out was incorrect. I doubt you, Mayo employees or anyone would accept that response considering the circumstances.
Jake

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 9, 2020

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lisalucier I am just curious how doctors, supposedly the best, can believe 5+ years without a..." + (show)

@jakedduck1, I agree. Receiving a denial to an appointment request is a punch in the gut.
Mayo Clinic Children's Center and Children's Hospital are located at Mayo Rochester campus. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/childrens-center
Orthopedic surgery is one of the specialty groups available at the Chidren's Center https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/childrens-center/overview/specialty-groups
Your niece may wish to contact the Children's Center directly to request an appointment or ask for further explanation for the denial. Alternatively, she may wish to have her son's local doctor or specialists submit a referral. Here's the contact info: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/childrens-center/overview/appointments