Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

The middle-aged doctor's face darkened further. He placed the record folder on the bedside table with a soft, but not loud, sound.

"Not rheumatism? He had a full set of immunological tests done here, and his rheumatoid factor was positive, his erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated, his CRP was elevated, and he had joint pain and morning stiffness. These symptoms all meet the diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis."

"Furthermore, liver and kidney function indicators have been declining for the past six months, which are early signs of multiple organ failure. You, a young doctor, just come in, take my pulse, and say it's not true?"

Chen Ping ignored the other party's question and turned to Old Song instead, "Old Song, the old commander's illness does indeed look like rheumatoid arthritis on the surface, with joint pain, morning stiffness, and elevated inflammatory markers."

"But the root cause of his illness is not in his joints, but in his cervical spine. There is old damage to the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, which is compressing the nerve root in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, causing problems with the sensory and motor functions of his limbs."

"Prolonged bed rest is not due to joint pain, but because the nerve conduction pathways are blocked, resulting in weakness in the lower limbs and an inability to stand up."

"The elevated immune indicators are secondary changes caused by prolonged bed rest, and the decline in liver and kidney function indicators is due to drug-induced damage caused by prolonged bed rest and improper medication, not the primary disease."

"To put it more bluntly, his organs didn't fail; they were damaged by the treatment."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged doctor frowned, his tone becoming somewhat angry, "You're saying we made things worse? You're a doctor from a township health center, standing in this ward of the Provincial Military General Hospital, and you're saying we made things worse?"

"The patient has been hospitalized for two years. We have conducted three hospital-wide consultations, consulted the best rheumatology and immunology experts in the province, and prescribed medication according to the latest domestic and international guidelines. But you come in, take a couple of pulses, and say the approach is wrong."

"Okay, since you put it that way, then tell me, how should he be treated?"

Chen Ping didn't rush to reply. Instead, he walked to the film reading light by the wall, pulled out the stack of CT and MRI films from the bedside table, and inserted them one by one.

He pointed to one of the MRI images of the cervical spine, indicating the location at the third-fourth intervertebral space. "Here, you can see a herniated disc. It's not large, but the location is crucial; it's pressing on the anterior horn of the spinal cord."

"You've been checking joints, immunity, even liver and kidneys, but no one has seriously checked the cervical spine."

"We've taken X-rays for two years, but not a single doctor has connected the herniated disc with the patient's symptoms."

"What you see are only the symptoms: joint pain, high test results, declining organ function, but no one asks why he can't stand up?"

The middle-aged doctor walked to the X-ray reading light, squinted at it for a few seconds, and his expression changed from displeasure to seriousness, and then slowly into an indescribable look.

He did remember the scan, and it had been discussed during a departmental consultation, but the conclusion at the time was "degenerative changes in the cervical spine, with no significant clinical significance."

No one associated it with the patient's limb dysfunction.

The ward was quiet for a few seconds. The middle-aged doctor took off his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and then put them back on. His voice was lower than before, but still carried a hint of disapproval.

"What you're talking about is theory, and anyone can talk about theories. What makes you think your judgment is correct?"

"There's a multidisciplinary consultation coming up soon to discuss this patient's next treatment plan. If you're really confident, then participate in the consultation, explain your plan clearly in front of all the experts in the hospital, and let everyone evaluate it."

Chen Ping glanced at Old Song, who nodded slightly.

Chen Ping turned back to the middle-aged doctor and said, "Okay, I'll participate."

"Okay, wait until 9:30, I'll have someone come and take you to the conference room." After saying that, the middle-aged doctor turned around and prepared to leave.

"Director Liu, what should we do with this fluid?" the nurse asked hurriedly.

The middle-aged doctor glanced at Chen Ping before saying to the nurse, "Stop the IV for now. We'll decide on a new treatment plan after the consultation."

After saying that, the middle-aged doctor left, and the two nurses glanced at Chen Ping before turning and leaving as well.

"Dr. Chen, is what you said about Old Zhao's condition true? Was it a misdiagnosis by the hospital?"

Old Song looked shocked.

Chen Ping nodded: "I guess so, but this situation is extremely rare and can easily lead to misdiagnosis."

"Is there any hope for Old Zhao to get back up?" Old Song asked.

"There is hope, but it's impossible in the short term. After lying down for so long, the muscles have atrophied and stiffened, and it will take time to recuperate."

Chen Ping said.

Perhaps hearing that he had a chance to stand up again, Old Zhao became somewhat agitated while lying in his hospital bed.

"Can...can I really stand up?" Old Zhao asked excitedly, raising his hand with all his might.

"Don't worry, old commander. As long as the hospital follows my plan, you will definitely be able to stand up again."

Chen Ping quickly stepped forward, grasped Old Zhao's hand, and said.

Upon hearing this, tears instantly streamed down Old Zhao's face.

Chen Ping quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe away Lao Zhao's tears.

"Old Zhao, that's great! You'll be able to stand up again soon. Dr. Chen is a miracle doctor, so don't worry."

Old Song said happily.

Old Zhao nodded.

"Mr. Song, what about the old commander's family? Some treatment plans may need to be discussed with the family in advance," Chen Ping asked.

Upon hearing this, Old Song was visibly taken aback, then gave Chen Ping a look, signaling him to go outside and talk.

Chen Ping got up and followed Old Song out of the ward and into the corridor.

Looking at Old Song's expression, Chen Ping knew that Old Zhao must have some kind of story behind him.

"Dr. Chen, Old Zhao has no relatives now. His wife passed away ten years ago."

"He had a son, but he died in the line of duty more than ten years ago and was posthumously awarded the title of martyr."

"Now he's all alone, but luckily the government is there to support him. He's been staying in the hospital and is being taken care of."

When Mr. Song said these words, he was clearly in a very low mood.

"I understand!" Chen Ping nodded.

At 9:30, a nurse came to Chen Ping's ward and took him to the hospital's conference room.

When Chen Ping arrived, there were seven or eight people sitting in the conference room.

There is a director of rheumatology and immunology, a director of orthopedics, a physician in rehabilitation medicine, and a clinical pharmacist in pharmacy.

Old Zhao's medical records and various examination reports were spread out on the long table, and his images from the past two years were projected on the projector.

Director Liu sat to one side and let Chen Ping take the main speaking position.

Upon seeing Chen Ping arrive, Director Liu gestured with his eyes, "You can speak now."

Facing these experts and scholars from major hospitals, Chen Ping stood fearlessly in front of the projection screen.

Strength is the foundation of courage.

Chen Ping had enough confidence and certainty, so he wasn't afraid of these people at all.