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Not a suitable candidate???

Keepstrong profile image
Keepstrong
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Hi everyone. I hope your all keeping well.

Can anyone tell me please if they have been told by orthopedics surgeon that they are not suitable candidate to have 2 knees an a hip replacement at the age of 51 an if they have osteoporosis throughout their body an have fibro myalgia, myalgia Encephalitis and micro vascular angina and now Neurological function ?

I was told by the orthopedics that I'm very young to have my lumbar spine, hip 2 knees and cervical spine so destroyed with osteoarthritis and then asked did I have private insurance or GMS an when I said I had no private only GMS cover, he replied oh an then said well your not a candidate to have your knees and hip done.

I know most of you would not have all these conditions but some of you may have or similar and I was wondering am I just being foged off or have any of you who may have private insurance told the same thing when your cartridges are just bone on bone?.

Kind regards Ce. Wishing you to be well and keep strong πŸ™πŸ€—πŸ˜‡

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Keepstrong
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suzy1959 profile image
suzy1959

I have just turned 60 and have had PMR since I was 52, meaning being on steroids for all that time. I developed OA first over 5 years ago- knee then other knee then hip. When my hip needed to be sorted I was told I was too overweight and too risky to operate on. The NHS would not even offer a consultation, so I paid to see someone who also refused to operate, even privately. I thought that was it until I couldn’t stand the pain any longer and found a surgeon who would operate. I had a hip replacement last June and knee replacement in March in London, which I had to pay for. Then, through my GP , we appealed against the NHS decision and they agreed to pay for my second knee replacement- this is still in process as they have really messed up my appointments! Meanwhile, my other hip has become such a problem that I need it to be done now so am going to have to pay for it again!

This is not a clear answer to your question except to say- don’t give up! Keep trying to get what you need and you may well be successful. Some surgeons will not operate on a more risky patient, but there are some more compassionate surgeons who can see that the risk is worth taking as the alternative is having no life and being in a wheelchair! Good luck!

Keepstrong profile image
Keepstrong in reply to suzy1959

Hi lass. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. πŸ€—πŸ€—

Yes I think I will have to ask my gp to help me try over turn the surgeon desision. It's just the way he said if I could not bare the pain any longer we would have to have to do replacement and then few minutes later ask have I private or GMS Cover then when I say I have HSE GMS Card then it's oh your not a ideal candidate. I'm 2 stone over weight but most of the that wait is due to side effects of the medication for all my health conditions. 😩 But I am trying hard to lose it but with not being able to be very mobile its hard. But I'm determined to keep trying. πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ˜πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ In saying that my occupational therapist is calling tomorrow and wants me to agree to have the wheelchair she has waiting for me to use. She was to come last week but she took unwell an reschedule to tomorrow.

Thanks so much for your informative reply Suzi and I'm so sorry you have been going through such a hard time and still going through it.

Sending you soft healing hugs with comfort and light dear friend. πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€— Be well and keep strong. Ce. πŸ˜‡πŸ€—πŸ™πŸ’

suzy1959 profile image
suzy1959 in reply to Keepstrong

Yes, the reason the NHS changed its mind was understanding that I had done everything I could to lose weight but was never going to manage it on my medication and with no mobility.

Iluvgardening profile image
Iluvgardening

I am 57 years old and I have had two knee replacements and a lumbar fusion. I was told at 30 years old I was going to need knee replacements because my knees were old even then per xrays. I went to several Orthopedic surgeons in my 50's but they said I was too young and should wait til I was older. I had a knee scope three years before my first total knee replacement which was 7 months ago, the scope caused more severe pain! Than before. I just had a second knee replacement 3 weeks ago and my back was fused 4 years ago. I did alot of praying and research to find the right surgeon, so dont give give up and be diligent in your search. I have learned to be a better advocate for my health throughout the years. Praying that you get all things sorted out and that you will be on to a healthier and in less pain You.😊

Keepstrong profile image
Keepstrong in reply to Iluvgardening

Thanks so much for your brilliant reply I'm so very grateful πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€— I too luv gardening and now that I can no longer dig a spade into the ground I have all my gardening plants and trees in pots 😹😹😹. I'm 52 in 20 minutes time and my body feels like it's 1002 but im not giving up the fight. πŸ‘πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ My occupational therapist called today an instructed me that I'm to not take a step without my stroler till such ti'e as she gets my wheelchair delivered in 4 weeks time. She is having it customade for me. She took my pressure meant 3 months ago but I pleaded with her not to bring the wheelchair yet I'm not ready to expect it yet. But now with having falls yesterday, 2 days ago and a day before that, I have lost the fight to not have her go ahead and order it πŸ˜”πŸ˜’πŸ˜” but I did tell her I will use it but to push and walk with it an when my legs don't get the signal from my brain to walk as that's what's causing the falls, it's part my neurological functional disorder then I'll get into the chair. But clever Joe my Huby but a bit of a observation together, seems after I have a neurological seizure when I'm asleep it's that day later that I have a fall because the legs do a total tools down an strike call for a while. πŸ™„πŸ™„πŸ™„

Each neurological function turn causes a arthritis, fibromyalgia an Myalgia Encephalitis flair and then I have to struggle to get the lot under control ASAP.

Thanks so much for your reply I'm gone to have a chat with my gp to see can she have the desisuon over turned. My hydrocortisone steroid injections are starting to wear off in my knees and hip, so nu fun there. I won't be having a knees up in 10 minutes time for midnight my birthday πŸ˜ΉπŸ˜ΉπŸ˜ΉπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ be well dear friend and hope we can chat again soon. πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€— Hugs Comfort and light. Ce. πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—