Looking for recommendations for an excellent knee surgeon/consultant on the nhs.

[becky3344]

Hi.

I had a left knee arthroscopy surgery 10 weeks ago, the consultant/surgeon said he found a ligament tear, so he was able to trim the bit off.

I'm still experiencing knee pain in the same knee, and quality of life, walking is still very effected.

I'm 46.

What i am asking and needing is help and advice from anyone who knows how to go about finding an excellent knee /consultant surgeon who i can request to look at my knee on the nhs?

This is my story,

I was very disappointed with the follow up appointment over a week ago with the consultant I was given to do my operation, He didn’t examine my knee at all and showed little interest in wanting to help me, lack of empathy and care, and offering me no other avenues which I can look into or go down it was non-existent.

The operation he performed slightly helped my knee but hasn't properly fixed it, and I’m still in pain with it. I was told by the surgeon there is nothing else he can do for me and that my knee has wear and tear, and that i had a soft knee cap. Then he wanted me to leave…

So shocked with his aftercare behaviour and conduct I have decided to take it further and have started to make a formal complaint against him.

I am seeing my GP next week and am going to ask for a 2nd opinion.

I was told by a friend who has much experience being in hospital in and out, she tells me stories but I won’t go into it. But she suggests that I see my GP and ask for a 2nd opinion.

And that I can choose any hospital in the UK that I can go to for a 2nd opinion, and to do research about the hospitals and surgeons, in order to find a good one I can go and see.

I don't mind travelling as long as i get an expert knee consultant/surgeon who is good at their job and who cares about their patients and is willing to do all they can to help?

Regards,

Becky

[PMRPete]

emersonsgreentreatmentcentr...

[becky3344 in reply to PMRPete]

Thanks PMRPete. Thanks for your recommendation, how did you find Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre

in Bristol? What was your experience with the consultant like and what did they do for you? I only live 40 miles from Bristol.

[PMRPete in reply to becky3344]

They were excellent, recommended by my own doctor. I had a hip replacement in 2014. Everybody was very professional.

They do have some other treatment centres around the West country.

devizestreatmentcentre.nhs.uk/

[jackie4ball]

Hi

I understand totally what you are saying I have had knee problems since I was14 I am now 55 I have around 7 arthroscopy ops on left knee and around 5 on the other knee I have over the years seen many consultants some helpful some not so I was seeing a Mr Harvey in Bournemouth under NHS and he did some of the arthroscopys saw another consultant Mr Blakesay the same however saw Harvey NHs in November 2006 said nothing more he could do saw him 2 weeks later privately under my ex husbands BUPA and had a knee replacement 2 weeks later since being back to NHS knee replacement wasn't right as it kept dropping me is now 11 years old and worse. I saw both Mr Blakeway and Mr Harvey about 3 years ago and they refused to do anything so I am left in absolute agony the knees are getting worse and I can get nothing done. Had an appointment at Mr Harveys clinic last Monday but noticed he is now a Professor so knew there was no way I would be seeing him. Saw a young dr who clearly hadn't looked at my notes as he asked what have I had done previously! He gave me a steroid injection and was then going to see me in 4 months. However he did ask if the knee locked or gave way (he would only look at one knee as my GP had only referred me for the left ) but the right replacement is bad I was told 6 years ago it was working loose. This Dr then decided to do an MRI and give me a knee brace which I have to wait to be fitted for if the MRI shows anything I assume I will see him earlier if not it's just live with it I told him I would like my legs amputated as I am so sick of the pain and not being able to do anything. It's all about money and age if I have knee replacement now I will need it doing again in10 years as that's the average lifespan of a knee replacement. With regards to your arthroscopy one of the Ines I had done by Mr Harvey who is a very nice guy left me bruised from my knee to my toes not sure what he did on that one but it took over ; months for me to be able to walk again. They can take a while to recover from and maybe some gentle exercise in water may help a little but don't go mad literally just very gentle. Down here in Dorset Mr Harvey, Mr Blakesay and Mr Fidian used to do a knee clinic. Good luck with your second opinion.

Jackie xxx

[becky3344 in reply to jackie4ball]

HI Jackie thanks for replying, and sharing your experiences. I'm sorry to hear the trouble and the pain in which you've had with you knee for 31 years...

I'm wary now about having anything else done from what you've told me of your experience and the pain you've been in and the drastic thing you want them to do so you can stop feeling the pain.

I'm so sorry to hear of your most your life now having knee pain..

I hope when you get a knee brace that it really works for you. Thanks for the info about knee replacement longevity of 10 years. I need to carry on doing my research with it.

I saw my GP yesterday and he has recommended a caring, good surgeon at Swindon Hospital, so i'm looking in him.

I hope you soon get out of your knee pain, i really do.

Becky.

[jackie4ball in reply to becky3344]

Thanks Becky, Obviously we are all different and different things work for different people I just told you my story as it's been going on for so long and it gets very frustrating when you know you have bone on bone and they will do nothing for you. So you need to be prepared just in case. I don't think the knee brace will stop the pain it's just for support more than anything. I have 3 grown up children who two of which have had knee problems since they were 15 and a little older and have fibro and take a high dose of pain meds opiates which obviously worries me. Then my daughter who has a labral tear in her hip which may need a hip replacement at some stage she has been told but she is only 24. So it seems lots of our problems are hereditary do any of your family or have any of your family had any history of Osteoarthritis or anything? I really hope you get something sorted will be interested to hear what they have to say.

Take care Jackie

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Do you have a physiotherapist whose opinion you trust as they tend to have a decent awareness of who is considered a good surgeon or second opinion?

[becky3344 in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Hi, i had physiotherapist treatment last year before the operation but i don't trust their opinion to ask them if they knew a good surgeon. Thanks for the thought though, i appreciate it.