Complaint Review: Molecular Cell Orthopaedics Regenokine

I first spoke to Dr. Capla, Director of Molecular Cell Orthopaedics, Regenokine. during the last week of May.  He returned my email inquiry about his Regenokine practice with a phone call on May 25, 2017  During this phone call he told me that all spinal patients experience at least 50% improvement with the Regenokine treatment.

I made an appointment with him for the following week on May 31.  During this meeting I was again assured that all of his spinal patients experience at least 50% improvement. We discussed the price of $12000 I agreed to having the procedure because feeling 50% better would be a great improvement.  I had been suffering with back pain and radiculopathy and was eager to receive some relief.  

I then went through a functional exam with one of Dr. Capla's associates. The exam revealed weakness of my lower extremities especially the right side secondary to nerve damage. I fully described my symptoms and they were recorded.

I had blood drawn on June 5th which was processed for about 24 hrs and received my first of five treatments the next day.  I received my final treatment on Friday, June 16th. Before receiving the last of the injections I was told that a particular medication was recommended to be taken for a month to enhance the treatment. I gave them the name and number of my pharmacy and was told it would be called in and I could pick it up that evening.

The prescription wasn't at my pharmacy that evening or the following next two evenings. I called the office Monday and was told it would be sent to my pharmacy and I would be called with confirmation. I didn't receive a phone call so on Tuesday evening I sent an email.  I followed up with a phone call on Wednesday afternoon.  When it still wasn't at my pharmacy I thought I should text Dr. Schottenstein.  He is the neurologist who performed the injections.  He provided his phone number in a packet that was given to me on the last day of treatment.

I explained why I was texting him (as I normally wouldn't text a doctor unless it was an emergency) and he was quite aggressive in return.  He told me the prescription was attempted to be sent on Friday but needed preapproval from my insurance.He also told me that they called me every step of the way with updates. He told me to stop the accusations until I checked my phone records. I tried to smooth it over with him but he repeated to not accuse again.  He told me his office manager would call me with their records that evening.  

This was all very odd to me and I felt very much put on the defensive. I had my records which showed no attempted calls from them.  I called my pharmacy and they told me that the prescription was called in for the first and only time on Wednesday.  Moreover my insurance does not need pre-approval for the medication. I called Dr. Schottenstein's office manager many times to settle this issue but never received a called back.  I emailed her several times and the email was bounced back to me.   

A week after the text exchange with Dr. Schottenstein I emailed Dr. Capla about this issue and included the body of the texts.  I explained that I have never been treated this way by a doctor, was upset and as my symptoms are worsening I feel like I cannot expect support from the practice.  He didn't respond.  I emailed Dr. Capla, Dr. Schottenstein, and the office manager collectively also. No one responded.

Two days later I emailed Dr. Capla again to let him know my symptoms continue to worsen.  He responded the next day and said I needed to let the treatment take it's course and it can take up to 3 full months for the medicine to fully take its course.  He also told me he was always there to help me with my care.

I waited 3 weeks and my symptoms continued to worsen. On 7/18 I sent Dr. Capla an email listing my symptoms.  He responded that he was sorry that I was feeling poorly and one of his assistants would contact me about my symptoms.  I did receive a call the next day.  I told the representative my symptoms and he said I would hear back from one of the doctors in 1 to 2 days.  After six days on 7/25 I emailed Dr. Capla again. I did not hear back.  On August 6 I tried one more time with no response again.

During the course of my spinal illness I have always had a follow up appointment with the provider after a procedure.  If I was experiencing symptoms subsequently, I would be brought back in for another examination.  I don't think I expected or asked too much of these doctors.  I believe this is negligence and abuse on a few different levels.

"Building relationships of trust with patients is fundamental to ethical practice in medicine" from The AMA Code of Ethics website.  

I paid $12000 for a treatment that did not help and probably hurt. In addition, I was mistreated by two doctors in the Molecular Cell Orthopaedics, Regenokine practice.  I clearly communicated as my symptoms worsened and they ignored me.  There is something very wrong with this. This mistreatment of a patient defies the AMA Code of Ethics.

Now I am having difficulty walking. Dr. Capla cannot tell his potential patients that all his patients treated with Regenokine experience 50% improvement anymore.  I will attest to that.

I am now scheduling surgical consults.  All the waiting has cost me time and pain.