RSI-Relief

In A most useless doctor visit, community college biology instructor “Radagast” relates a visit to his local doctor in response to increasing wrist pain. The doctor made a quick diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after a short interview and no diagnostic tests:

After a nearly useless conversation, he briskly asked me if I had any other questions, and then shooed me out the door. I learned more in a half hour of web-browsing the night before the appointment than I learned from him, and I’m now left to search the web for more information.

It’s an interesting story, and it sounds like he doesn’t really trust the doctor’s diagnosis (and he probably shouldn’t, given that surgery is the most common “treatment” for CTS).

Is this type of perfunctory examination common, or was Radagast just unlucky in his choice of physician? What has been your experience in dealing with doctors about your Repetitive Strain Injuries?