Thomas Hospitals Spine and Nerve Center - Pain Management in Charleston, West Virginia

“I was supposed to receive medial branch block injections of the C4/5 and C5/6 level (C4, C5, C6), which are in the neck or what is called the cervical region. I went in for the appointment and was called back and prepped for the procedure. I was laying facedown on a table with my face in the opening like a chiropractor or massage table. They began using the antiseptic solution between my shoulder blades in the thoracic region. I asked if that was correct and was told yes, and to relax and don't move. Not having any knoiwledge of how the procedure is performed, I followed the nurses instructions. Three injections were performed on both sides of the shoulder blades on the T4,T5,T6 area of the throacic spine. I left after the procedure and applied ice as directed. After a few days of receiving NO relief, I looked into my chart through the patient portal to review the notes. The notes stated that the injections were administered inthe cervical C4-6 region. I then looked at a video of that type of injection on youtube and immediately knew this was not the procedure I received. I called the office and was told I was injected in the correct cervical C4-6 region and the fluroscopy xray image in the fille proved this. They sent me the xray image show needles inserted into the C4-6 cervial, which was not the area of my injection. I then looked to see darkened areas of the teeth in the xray and inquired as to what those darkened areas were in the image. The nurse stated that the Nurse Practitioner reviewed the xray and stated that it was some yype of dental work. I immediately went to my file to obtain the same profile image of an xray I had done just prior to the procedure. I sent that to them and said "if you will look at this xray image, you will see that I have never had dental work. The image tou sent to me in no way resembles the actual image of my head or neck. No one answered back, so I called the office and demanded that the doctor call me. They stated that he was in surgery. I stated that I need a call back that day to which the doctor called. He stated that the injection was performed correctly and he "uses angles to reach the injection site from the cervical region from the thoracic region because of the way my body was prositioned on the table. I immediatel knew this was a lie. He suggested that I come back in immediately since I did not get relief and scheduled and appointment three days out. I refused to go back. Take a look at the images attached and you will see the inkection site (circled in yellow), the floroscopy xray image that was sent to me with the needles going straight in to the cervical region (no angles) with the obvious dental work, and the xray from my file that I sent to them that shows no dental work and clearly nothing that resembles that same image they sent of the same body positioning of the xray (my neck is longer and head much larger). I am not sure what is going on here, but it was obviously the wrong procedure and they refuse to admit the mistake and orchestrated a cover-up. The cover up was laughable, to say the least. If they enterd an xray image into my file that is not mine to cover up a faulty procedure, that constitutes a serious felony crime, medical malpractice, and other severe consequences!”

— Brad B

“I'm so thankful to have found the spine and nerve center. I've had injections in my feet that have helped tremendously to the point that I have been pain free from my plantar fasciitis for 2.5 years. I also get trigger points in my neck and they have helped so much. Staff is very friendly as well.”

— Lindsay Walker

“I saw Dr Karcz because his resume seemed very good. Let me add I've worked in medicine for 47 years. He was nice when he came in and scheduled me for an injection for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. Let me add I have QA'd these surgeries/procedures for many many years. On the day of the procedure, we sat in an extremely crowded room for an hour or more. When I got called back, nurse wanted me on a gurney, I'm in a wheelchair and I told her no way, it is a wrist procedure and not necessary. Let me add not one single person identified themselves, not one. In the procedure room my wrist was put on a pad (resembling a puppy pad for those of you who haven't had anything done). Female was nice but did not identify herself, neither did the guy. Butterfly placed and then she syringe and tubing attached. Immediately it poured out onto the pad and I asked her about it and she said *oh yeah, they leak* - well if they leak get the correct equipment. It wasn't a drip it was a gush. Doctor came in, mask and gown, did not identify himself or say one word. When he started pushing the syringe, it absolutely soaked the pad, very little went into the wrist and in fact made it 10x more painful than it was to begin with. When they called to see how it was, I told them exactly what happened. When he later called I went over it with him and he said he will get clearance for another procedure. I asked why insurance would pay for two since it was an equipment error. He also wanted me to come back in to confirm the same site and I said no, I have no wheelchair ramp and cannot hold on with that wrist and of course it's the same spot. Turns out they did schedule me to come in again and I said no. Another procedure was performed and I cancelled it and I am having to be referred to a surgeon now because it's so bad. I can't even do hygiene with that hand it's so very bad. Healthcare in this area is horrible, I've gone through 5 doctors now, one calling in my allergies as my medication, one who told me I was liar with I provided all medical records, x-rays, etc, one who lost a UA and didn't bother to tell me and let me be in pain. It's actually scary here and I wish I had never come back here.”

— Sherry Levoy

“After having surgery and going back for my post surgery appointment I was assigned to Daniele Molina. She was not professional nor was her appearance. She wore scrub pants and a gray sweat shirt which was turned inside out. She removed three stitches and rubbed an alcohol pad across my incision rather roughly. I prefer not to see her again. As for the Doctors and the rest of the staff they are great.”

— Linda Hardway