Dr. Dougald F. Macarthur, DO

If possible, I would not give Dr. MacArthur even 1 star! In Jan. 2017, he did a total knee replacement on one of my knees. Before surgery I made it clear to him that I wanted a custom designed TITANIUM replacement. I did not get that. Instead I got a Cobalt/Nickel replacement. Over the following 2 and 1/2 years, he ignored all my phone calls in which I told him of continuing pain. Essentially he "blew me off." He even told me that I was calling his office too often! Finally, after 2 and 1/2 years, I insisted that he order a radioactive bone scan to see what was causing my unrelenting pain. Even though the bone scan lit up all around the knee, clearly indicating that something was wrong, he still brushed me off. He told me to wait another six months and he'd re-examine my complaints! Wait for another 6 months of pain! I thought "NO WAY!" So, I consulted another Orthopedic surgeon who told me I needed an Orthopedic Analysis to determine what metals, plastics, or cements used in knee replacements might be causing problems. That test cost ME close to $600.00 (NOT covered by insurance)
The results also were very telling: I am HIGHLY allergic to Nickel and mildly allergic to Cobalt... the two metals used in my knee replacement.
He also said that my knee felt loose! So now I need to have that replacement removed. It may involves two surgeries, or two stages depending on whether there is any infection in the knee joint.
In the FIRST SURGERY, the surgeon:
* Removes the implant
* THEN (if infection is present) he puts a cement block that’s been treated with antibiotics, known as a spacer, where the implant was to help kill bacteria in your joint and nearby areas
(You usually won’t be able to bear weight on the leg while the spacer is in place. You may be able to get around using a walker or crutches. You’ll also need to receive ANTIBIOTICS THROUGH IV FOR UP TO 6 WEEKS!)
* The SECOND SURGERY, called revision knee surgery, is to remove the spacer and place a new knee implant. The surgeon will have to chip the cement out of the bone... not something to look forward to.

How could all of this have been avoided? First, any patient needing knee or hip replacements should be advised to have either a blood test or hair analysis to determine if the patient has allergies to metals, particularly nickel and cobalt. This should be done BY THE SURGEON! Failure to do so may cost you YEARS OF PAIN and leave you in need of FURTHER SURGERY to remove the offending implants. More importantly, had MacArthur done a quality job, there is no reason the replacement would have to be replaced. At age 72, I see months/years ahead of me having another surgery, rehab, and PT. Dr. McArthur's lack of professionalism, his arrogance and incompetence has ruined the remaining few years of my life.