Venkat Perumal, MD

UVA Health has a reputation for having some of the best facilities in the state and I have a rare bone condition that effects 1 in 50,000 people. I asked asked Dr. Perumal's team if he was familiar with the condition and then followed up with him in-person to confirm he was familiar with the condition prior to surgery. He said he was, but he was not. It would take my pain increasing significantly, becoming irresponsive to all interventions, me being barley able to stand I ended up barely able to stand, and needing to go to the ER for me to learn that not only is he unfamiliar with the condition, but he hadn't been consulting the one person on UVA's staff that is. I was, and still am, in increasingly rough pain 12 weeks after my surgery. I cannot drive more then 8 minutes and cannot walk more then 2 blocks. I have not received any physical therapy and have received conflicting information from his team. Ending up in the ER was the nail in the coffin, but my whole aftercare experience… has been miserable. His team gave me instructions that were completely counter to what I received from him. In one instance, he told me I could swim, and his staff scolded me for thinking I could swim even though I had paperwork from him clearing me to do so. It is obvious that they do not communicate with each other prior to advising patients. I also obtained an infection while closely following the instructions on the post operative paperwork he gave me which was terrifying. Furthermore, his staff advised me that I would receive crutches after my operation to help me get around during the recovery process. I never received crutches. Luckily, my mom had an extra pair at her house that she was able to bring me. I was told I would be walking in my boot 2 weeks after surgery and that I would follow-up for my boot to be removed 6 weeks after surgery. That changed after my operation. They moved my 6 week follow-up to 8 weeks, leaving me scrambling to find someone that could take off in the middle of the work day and drive an hour to get me to Charlottesville. It also prolonged my recovery process and caused me to use more of my resources to ensure I had essentials like groceries. I had my 8 week follow-up where his PA said The steristrips would be removed by him, but they were never removed. The recovery timeline seems to be continuously moved and it's gotten to where I cannot make plans with friends, missed being at my brother's thesis defense, and so many other life events. I really wish I'd been provided with a more realistic timeline so I could've made a more informed decision. Now, an infection and ER visit later, I'm requesting a transfer to a different physician in the interim, and a transition to a physician closer to me in the long term as I can no longer get myself to Charlottesville. I cannot help but wonder if the trajectory would've been different had Dr. Perumal been honest about not knowing my condition, or had at least consulted the one person on staff who is.

Follow-up post surgery appt. I'm very pleased with the results. Compassionate health care providers and excellent explanations provided.

All very professional

The problem and care were described clearly and my questions were answered.

Dr. Perumal was an excellent surgeon!

Dr referred me to get a boot and go to physical therapy

Great

I decision was made by the doctor, and I deferred to his better judgment. I would've liked to have the MRI sooner, but there are many people waiting for it. We're just as needy.

Due to being in pain for so long I had done research about the ankle. I had an idea of what was happening to me and he was able to confirm it. He discussed his plan with me and was able to share what would happen if it doesn't improve with physical therapy.

Care provider was very informative