Replacement knee

[nellysgran]

I have been to see my consultant today who has said that my knee is very badly worn and I need a complete knee replacement but the waiting list is up to 12 months ! Does anyone else know if this is normal to wait so long.

[farm123]

I don't know but I saw ortho consultant today and have a date of 13th March. I was expected a much longer time scale so was quite shocked when I came out from the consultation. Farm

[nellysgran in reply to farm123]

That is quick, where do you live ?

[farm123 in reply to nellysgran]

West Midlands. They did say that from referral to treatment started it would be within 18 weeks but I did not expect the actual operation within that time frame. It is booked at our local private hospital under the NHS. Farm

[cathie]

In Scotland its 12 weeks from first me ting with surgeon. Good luck, I'm psyching myself up for this

[Sunflower62]

It depends on how urgent the case is... And post code lottery of course... Maybe although the you need it done he feels it's not that urgent. How about calling his PA direct and ask if there is an easier date as you are in a lot of pain good luck x

[fairlilith]

Don't live in the UK so I can't say about the wait. I would encourage you to take a 'date' and then try to figure out if you can move it up because I have had both knees replaced and it is a joy to do things without hurting. I waited 5 years because I wanted to retire first..it was agony to wait. The surgery was quite painful and you have to be determined to rehab yourself to regain muscle tone, but it is worth it. I never knew I would ever just be thankful for walking normally.

[olive2709]

He will have put you on non urgent list.Call his PA and ask if there is a cancellation list and can they make a note .Then give the appointments department a ring 14 days later and ask if there is a note next to your name .My husband did this and it did help only downside you could get as little as 24 hours notice .

[Metal-legs]

Waiting times in the south west tend to be about 12-6 weeks depending on how much pain you are suffering. I was in absolute agony waiting for my second knee replacement, couldn't even put any weight on it. I kept ringing the surgeons secretary every day to see if there was a cancellation. Managed to get it done quite quickly in the end, well worth lots of phone calls.

[joan_w]

I have had 2 knee replacements and in both cases only waited about 6-8 weeks from seeing the Consultant.

[Hobbits]

I hope somehow you get bumped up on the list. Although not a knee, I know of a friend who had a hip replacement and yes a year wait was normal.

[Hidden]

My sister was told she would have a year before her knee was sufficiently unstable to warrant a knee replacement but because she's 45 she has would then have to wait another year to get the surgery even if she can't walk on it at all. She is now having very frequent physio and doing her exercises several times a day and try to lose a bit of weight (she's maybe a stone or two overweight). She lives in Surrey.

[nellysgran]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I am in pain and my consultant said my knee was in a bad condition, so I guess I will just have to keep pestering them, and hope for the best. I live in Wales and have heard of others waiting a long time,

[RuthCymru]

I initially saw the surgeon in January and had my pre-op in September: been told now that I shouldn't have had the pre-op as I'm so far down the list, and that it looks to be about April now! In a lot of pain! I live in North Wales. Over the 20 years I've had RA and OA I have been very happy with the service from the local hospital but not on this occasion. My time is limited as well as I have infliximab very 9 weeks and so can't have the op within 4 weeks of the infusion - so only a window of 5 weeks. I'm phoning the hospital frequently and I've now started a complaint procedure - so not happy and the knee is getting worse and is limiting what I can do. I work part time and force myself into work, but not sure for how long I can keep carrying on with work

[nellysgran in reply to RuthCymru]

Sorry you are having all these problems, which hospital are you going to ? I go to the Maelor in Wrexham. Hope you can sort something out, while I am on steroids my knee isn't too bad but I dread coming off them.

[RuthCymru]

In the past I've had no complaints with Betsi Cadwaladr. I went to the Maelor for my partial right ankle fusion - no problems at all since the op in 2006. And I've had a wrist fusion at Ysbyty Gwynedd with no problems at all (1979). And I'm hoping that I'll have no problem following the knee op at Ysbyty Gwynedd, but it's the waiting. I was told I was lucky to be considered for the operation considering my age - they would have preferred if I was closer to 60 rather than being 49! I explained that I've had the RA for over 20yrs and couldn't wait much longer. It just seems to be pushed back further and further, and by now is really affecting my quality of life. I'm not happy doing it, but if i have to then I will follow through with my complaint. Yes I'm worried about my pain and inconvenience, but also worried about the cost. Having had my pre-op in September, more than likely I'm going to need another pre-op. And I was told that following my MRI scan in April that a specially made replacement had been made. More than likely I'll now need another MRI scan and another replacement made - and is the previous one of any use to anyone now!

I live alone, and all this worry is really getting me down by now

[nellysgran in reply to RuthCymru]

I don't blame you, you have been waiting a long time, I have been happy with all the treatment from the Maelor but didn't think I would have to wait so long when the Consultant said my knee was really bad and is very painful, did you have a MRI at your pre-op ?

Please try not to worry i'm sure it wont be too long, please in box me if you want to talk anytime.

Gentle hugs, x

[RuthCymru in reply to nellysgran]

thanks. I had my MRI scan in April. I was told that the joint was going to be made specially for my joint. Problem is that I know my joint has got worse since then, so been a total waste of the MRI scan: most probably I'll need another scan, and the new joint won't be of any use to anyone! It's as if the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing! And in the meantime I'm in more pain! So annoying! Hope you're keeping ok x

[nomoreheels]

I think I'm right in thinking it really depends on the hospital nellysgran, type of procedure & catchment area but maybe a read of this could be helpful for you should you decide to state your case for an earlier date. nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/ency...

Good luck.