Oh, SSA sent me to 3 Consultative Exams. One was with a psychiatrist and she was a very nice person and even said she would do her best for me. Another was with a radiology place and they were very professional and top notch.

The last was with an MD, supposedly for an orthopedic exam. I have osteopenia, abnormal curvature of my upper spine, arthritis in lower back, chondromalcia patellae (bad knee), epicondylitis (elbow tendonosis), and Hallux Rigidus (a big toe that won't bend - painful to walk). Well, after the last two consults, I was shocked when I got to the "orthopedist's" office.

This was the most shadiest, dilapidated doctor's office I ever visited. This guy was no Orthopedic Specialist. He was just a regular MD, or I'm a monkey's uncle. (Legally, any MD can claim to specialize in anything. Real specialists have Board Certification.) I didn't see anything hanging anywhere - like - saying what school he graduated from. Legally, his MD license had to have been hanging somewhere.

As a nurse, I kind of can tell the level of expertise of the doctor I'm talking too (roughly.) So can a lot of bright people who are familiar with what ails them. This guy didn't seem to be familiar with half the terms I've listed above. He seems to have no more than the most basic knowledge of orthopedics - like any doctor would have. Plus he never touched my knee, which has "crepitus" - a crackling under the skin that you have to touch to feel.

His assistant tried twice, unsuccessfully, to take my blood pressure. Then I showed her how to use the device properly and she got it right. (A person working directly under the supervision of an MD doesn't necessarily have to be credentialed as a nurse, or as anything.) There was no disposable paper on the examining table. It was weird to the point that I am thinking of reporting that this exam was not an appropriate attempt to evaluate my orthopedic problems. (I'll talk to my lawyers, first.) Just info for anyone else going in for these consults.