OrthoArizona

This review goes back from late December 2009 through March 2010 and resultant issues thereafter. The purpose is to help those who have or have had problems with Dr. Leber, his staff, and/or his therapists and to help those who will. Im very pleased for all those who have had good experiences.
I broke my wrist where I live in Oregon right before Christmas 2009. I was nearly ready to head to Phoenix to visit my elderly mother. I had the wrist set and was told to get it checked again after the holidays. I saw Dr. Leber, who performed surgery on 1/5/10, inserting hardware.
The first words out of my mouth upon awakening were that something went wrong. I didnt know what was wrong but I knew something was. It hurt like *** and I guessed that my body was rejecting the hardware.
Dr. Leber and his staff didnt take me seriously. One assistant, Jamie, would see me before the doctor and manipulate my wrist until it was so painful that Id scream. He was callous and said I was there for drugs. Chris, the physical therapist in the same building, had me lie on a table on 1/25/2010. He manipulated it and the pain was so unbearable that I was screaming and telling him to stop, which he didnt. He told me he was sick of my *** and that he was going to tie my useful hand behind my back next time so Id be forced to use the bad one. I reported this abuse to Dr. Leber. He told me that was what he was supposed to do. I ceased going to that therapist. From then on my attorney brother accompanied me to every appointment with Dr. Leber. He sat in the back of the room and took notes. I was treated much better from then on. I was put on anesthesia at my next appointment so they could manipulate my wrist. When I woke up, I was told that my blood pressure was coming back down. it seemed they finally realized I wasnt faking the pain.
I have my medical records from that time. On 12/28/09 Dr. Leber noted No excessive swelling. Post-op 1/13/10 from his assistant: Swelling present. From then on Dr. Leber and pain doctor, Dr. Ruskin noted increased swelling. 2/24 Dr. Ruskin, pain doctor: The left hand and forearm is still quite swollen and edamatous.
2/4 Dr. Leber diagnosed me with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
On 2/16 Dr. Komar determined through an EMG test that there was radial and median nerve damage.
3/22 Dr. Leber noted that there were no visible signs of infection.
After a few months, back home in Oregon, a crater-like growth on top of the scar grew in size while I went to several doctors trying to get a diagnosis. I was sure this was a result of the surgery, but every doctor treated it as an external infection. I finally went to a hand surgeon, Dr. Tavakolian, who sent me to an infectious disease doctor. My blood indicated an infection. I had another surgery on 9/23/2011 to remove the hardware and see what was going on. Tissue and other surrounding structures had been eaten up by enterobacter, which is caused by contaminated surfaces, equipment, or personnel during surgery. The sewn area had never been opened so it definitely got in there during surgery.
Dr. Leber never had me get a blood test. The only reason I can think of as to why one hand surgeon knew the first thing to do was get that blood test and Dr. Leber didnt is that he was avoiding responsibility.
After the second surgery I stopped taking pain medication and had no pain.
So I went one year and nine months in unnecessary pain and an incorrect diagnosis of CRPS.
The increased swelling and edema should have been enough for Dr. Leber to know there was an undiagnosed problem.
So my advice to anyone having post surgery complications and you dont feel like the doctor isnt making an effort to find the reason, hire a medical advocate. Had I done so, they most likely would have sent me to an infectious disease doctor for blood work. Also consider getting a second opinion. I was told by several doctors offices that they dont give second opinions. It seems like they protect their own.