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Original poster

doc made me cringe insisting I take my trousers off at appt

63 replies

QueenEagle · 07/11/2005 15:55

I had a follow up appointment this morning to check out my knee which I injured 6 months ago playing netball. Many of you will remember this as I was on crutches for ages and posted here about it.

Anyway I wore the same loose baggy trousers that I had worn before to an appointment with this consultant and he examined me then perfectly fine. But this morning he insisted I take my trousers off even though I pointed this out.

He said he couldn't examine my knee properly if I had my trousers on so his nurse and him stood there waiting for me to remove my obviously very offensive garment. I was not offered a gown or a sheet to put over my nether regions so I insisted that they give me something as I wasn't sitting there in my knickers whilst he pulls my leg in all directions, thank you very much. The nurse was put out that she had to unlock a cupboard and rummage around for a sheet but she did eventually find one. Meanwhile the arsey consultant is standing there with his arms folded like I am a real nuisance.

It got the appointment off to a very bad start and the air was heavy with embarrassment on both sides I think. Is it me or was it out of order to expect me to lay on the couch and be examined flashing my knickers (actually it was a thong which was even more cringeworthy)???

OP posts:
misdee · 07/11/2005 15:57

they should've offered you a sheet/blanket for your own nmodesty and to avoid emabressment.

aloha · 07/11/2005 15:58

How odd and embarassing QueenEagle. I would have felt just the same as you. I think he was wrong and obviously has a rubbish bedside manner.

3scruffyangels · 07/11/2005 15:58

Well done you for being assertive enough to insist. I go totally into marshmallow-brained surrender-monkey mode when in the presence of the medical profession. Good on you!

AuntyQuated · 07/11/2005 15:59

why would you be embarrassed? i have a problematic hip and have all manner of people coming to look; lying, sitting, ley up, leg down, leg out.
it's all in a day's work.

howeb=ver there are some days when i think " wish i'd shaved my legs!"

3scruffyangels · 07/11/2005 16:00

(oh have just noticed I'm wearing my new name. almost didn't recognise myself.

Aka 3princesses.)

Pennies · 07/11/2005 16:01

He would probably have needed to see if there was any dipslacement that affected your whole leg and particualrly the hip area so that would probably have been why. He may not have asked before because at that stage that kind of examination would not have been relevant.

So IMHO, you're over reacting. Most docs really don't want to see you in your thousand wash greay skiddies, believe me. Learn from the experience and don't wear a thong next time.

AuntyQuated · 07/11/2005 16:01

but a balnket would cover other adjoining joints ...your knee problem/recovery may be affecting those or may be affected by those.

Original poster
QueenEagle · 07/11/2005 16:02

If it was my hip I wouldn't mind but this was my knee and I hadn't needed to take my troos off previously. Even if I go for a smear I get offered a sheet to put over myself.

OP posts:
moondog · 07/11/2005 16:02

What's the problem???

I am about to have an operation on my leg and would actually insist on taking my trousers off!

Blu · 07/11/2005 16:02

I think 'don't wear a thing to the doctors' is probably a good home page tip!
Sorry you felt uncomfortable.

aloha · 07/11/2005 16:03

I don't think the doctors feelings of embarassment or lack of it are the point here. I don't suppose QE gives a sh*t what the doctor was feeling. It is not, however, unreasonable or odd to feel unhappy about standing abuot in a thong in front of ANYBODY. He should have explained better and been more sensitive IMO.

rummum · 07/11/2005 16:03

I think she was embarrassed because it wasn't expected and not really called for... now with a hip, you can't really examine that with clothes on.

expatinscotland · 07/11/2005 16:03

I'd write a letter of complaint. That's unprofessional and uncalled for. I've had four operations on my knees. My ortho surgeon would always leave the room or stand on the other side of a drawn curtain whilst I got undressed and there was ALWAYS a sheet to put over my knickers.

aloha · 07/11/2005 16:04

If I was having my knee seen to, I wouldn't expect to stand there in my knickers either.

Original poster
QueenEagle · 07/11/2005 16:04

He didn't examine anywhere near my hip and I wasn't expecting him to ask me to remove my trousers, as he did exactly the same now as he has done, ooh probably 4 times previously, I would say.

OP posts:
3scruffyangels · 07/11/2005 16:05

But I feel if it was strictly necessary for whatever reason, why could he not have pleasantly explained that to QE, and been perfectly understanding about getting her a sheet? It doesn't take 6 years at med school to be polite, surely?

aloha · 07/11/2005 16:05

Yes, when I've had scans etc during pregnancy I have always been offered a sheet and privacy to get undressed. And that was to have my nether regions investigated

Pennies · 07/11/2005 16:07

Aaarrgghh.. As the song goes, our leg bone's conntected to your knee bone etc etc. Our entire bodies are interlinked so an injury to one area may manifest itself in another part of the body. What he might well have been looking or would be some evidence of you shifting your posture in a way that you yourself might not notice because it is second nature which could indicate that you are still in pain.

Sorry to be outspoken but this winds me up - the doc is trying to do his job and help you and I get the impression that you just seem to think that he fancies you or something. I think you need to show a little more maturity here.

A smear is a totally differnt type of examination - you simply can't compare the two.

aloha · 07/11/2005 16:09

Well Pennies, I think your tone is quite unnecessarily confrontational and unpleasant. I think you and QE's doctor would get along fine.
This isn't about his feelings. It's about hers. And why are the two so different? The whole point is that decent doctors give you privacy to get undressed and allow you to cover yourself to feel comfortable.

misdee · 07/11/2005 16:09

even if he wanted to see the hip movement a sheet/piece of blue towel should've been offered until that area was to be examined. even when i was having my prolaspe checked i was offered a blanket.

Pennies · 07/11/2005 16:10

Aaarrgghh.. As the song goes, our leg bone's conntected to your knee bone etc etc. Our entire bodies are interlinked so an injury to one area may manifest itself in another part of the body. What he might well have been looking or would be some evidence of you shifting your posture in a way that you yourself might not notice because it is second nature which could indicate that you are still in pain.

Sorry to be outspoken but this winds me up - the doc is trying to do his job and help you and I get the impression that you just seem to think that he fancies you or something. I think you need to show a little more maturity here.

A smear is a totally differnt type of examination - you simply can't compare the two.

Original poster
QueenEagle · 07/11/2005 16:11

Oh ffs pennies - where the hell do you get off eh? I never mentioned anything about him possibly fancying me. Where the hell did you get that from?

Maturity? You ought to try some yourself.

OP posts:
moondog · 07/11/2005 16:12

Heeeeeere we go.......

expatinscotland · 07/11/2005 16:12

How the hell can he tell that from her lying down, Pennies? That would be a 'gait' test and then they'd ask you to wear short shorts. Those are also usually gone by a physio. The gait test also requires you take off your shoes and walk, b/c pronation is another cause of knee problems.

Another thing that can be done whilst lying prone AND should also be done standing up, is to measure leg lengths. Again, this can cause problems. I had minor scholiosis and one shoulder actually sits higher than the other. But you don't need to parade aruond naked to determine that.

I've had so many knee problems it's pitiful, but I was never treated in such an unprofessional manner, QE.

3scruffyangels · 07/11/2005 16:14

If the doctor can't be bothered to make his patients feel comfortable and relaxed he clearly should have done veterinary medicine instead.

It's part of the job. If he can't do it properly he shouldn't be coining in x-hundred grand a year.