Collier Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center

I ruptured and retracted two of my rotator cuff tendons and this was confirmed by MRI, radiologist report and an ortho that didn't do surgery (I didn't think my problem was that bad until the MRI, radiology report and ortho's referral).



Guerra was out of town so my initial consultation was done by the hip surgeon, Spain. Spain was cold, rude and inappropriately and unnecessarily moved my shoulder to the point where I fell over on the table crying. My shoulder did NOT need to be moved, when I saw another, more experienced surgeon, he didn't even need to touch me. He read the MRI and radiology report to understand my situation.



After the unnecessary and painful manipulation, he asked if I had questions. My question was, "Will I need hardware" His reply was, "No". The next morning Ruthie, the surgery scheduler (NOT A DOCTOR OR NURSE) told me I would need hardware and my surgery couldn't be scheduled for a month because I would have to have the surgery in a hospital, not the outpatient center. I found it VERY interesting that Spain didn't know the first thing about shoulders nor shoulder surgery and I was still charged $190 for the appointment. Guerra's scheduler knew more about my injury and the surgery than Spain did.



At the end of the appointment with Spain, I asked if there was anything I needed to know about the surgery. He told me, "No." Now, I know it is because he knew very little about the surgery not because he was being rude.



Although the surgery couldn't be scheduled for a month (because of the doctor's schedule, not mine). They refused to give me pain meds.



Guerra refused to do surgery on me. He insisted it would be better if it was done when I moved. I find it interesting that a doctor that considers himself experienced at shoulder surgery would tell me to put off surgery for another two months. Ruptured tendons need to be repaired as soon as possible and preferably under three months to have the best result. Despite his "experience," he did not seem to know this important little tid bit about shoulder repair.



Additionally, I was told Guerra would call me on two different occasions and my husband on one occasion. He never called. I checked my phone log as did my husband.



Overall, a very disappointing experience. It cost me $190 to be treated poorly and with disrespect by Spain. Guerra couldn't be bothered to talk to me in person.



It all worked out for the best as I ended up with a far more experienced surgeon, Mighell at Florida Orthopeadic Institute in Tampa. He does only shoulder surgery and is kind and his staff wonderful.