could somebody please advise me if suffering with the same. I have severe arthritis in my left hip. I’m on the list for a hip replacement with the surgeon last September telling me I would have it by April this year! Still nothing! I’m on so much pain relief with not a lot of help. I struggle to walk and now use a stick. I have fought hard to get another appointment with the surgeon and now have one for next week! I had more X-rays done and it now I have no or very little blood supply to the hip I can’t remember the name but basically my hip is crumbling and doctor told me I need a hip replacement urgently and have told me if surgeon is not helpful go back to doctor. Has anyone been in the same situation and if so any tips please I’m really desperate!
Thanks in advance
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I was in the same situation as you but in my case my GP claimed he couldn't see anything wrong with my hip and as it was during Covid he didn't see me just kept sending more painkillers. During this time I had an appointment with my Rheumy consultant and I was in tears with the pain and she ordered loads of tests scans etc. A week later I received an appointment for the orthopaedic surgeon, interestingly enough my bad hip didn't show any problems but he said he would do the operation anyway. He came to see me afterwards and said he had never seen a hip so bad but it just didn't show up on the xrays etc. Hope you manage to get this sorted, nothing worse
Thanks for replying. I can not believe it did not show on X-ray! I to M on so many pain killers Tramadol gabapentin to name a couple. They tried me on morphine but this did nothing so I stopped it. I really am at my wits end with this. Constantly in pain even in bed it wakes me constantly. I’m praying now when I see the surgeon again he can fast track k me! He told me how bad it was and this was last September but with the dr yesterday telling me it’s urgent as it’s crumbling and could collapse I am praying. It’s so depressing I have no life anymore I only go to work and that is so very hard for me but I can not leave my job!
Its a shame that people have to fight so hard to get medical care and its even worse to get it and nothing happens… sorry your suffering so much keep fighting.
Thank you for reply. Yes it’s disgusting! I kept on and on and they even told my dr there is a wait. This was before these recent X-rays. They just try a fob you off hoping you accept their “long waiting list” even though I’m down as priority!! This is the receptionists! Even after I told them I received email to book with surgeon again! Eventually after speaking to 4 different people the eventually spoke to their Boss (who sent the letter which I told them about “ and suddenly I have an appointment! I’m praying I get somewhere!
I am sick of being told waiting list for most things on nhs, if I was able to pay £15.000 privately I was told I could get op within 2 weeks also cataract needs doing and another 1 year waiting list but if I pay £5,000 for both eyes I can have done next week and all done by surgeons who work for the nhs and that is why there is such a back log! I am 78 a widow for 25 years my hudband paid all his dues and died even before he could collect his pension I also worked but we were never able to build up a nest egg for the future health probs but we both worked and paid into the nhs. It’s ridiculous situation, I think they are waiting for us oldies to die off! There that’s my rant for today!!!
2012, I was 63, X-ray showed I had bone-on-bone OA in right hip. Had to wait 90 days for hip replacement surgery (long story). But, inspite of pain if I do (the surgery) and increasing pain if I didn't (meds eventually included morphine tablets) & a wheelchair to get around, I'd have the surgery again. WISH I'd done the pre-op surgery leg and knee "exercises."
I’ve not been told about any pre op exercise! I was diagnosed in 2012 the last 18 months have been awful with having change my job ect. Was bone on bone last September now crumbling joint and severe pain. Struggle get about I’m just sick of the waiting when I was tolls last September I should be in 3 month wait (according to surgeon I saw couple weeks back) now that’s 11 months ago and still nothing!!!
I'm so sorry you're continuing to be in severe pain. I recall one "exercise" was to lay on my back in bed and pull one heel as close as possible to my body, using only my leg muscles, then put the heel down, and alternate with the other heel.
Aww thank you! I will also try google 🤣 how long did it take you to recover from the op? Is the pain from the op worse than the pain from the arthritis?
Had the surgery at age 65. Total recovery about 6 months, tho hospital had me "trying" to stand and even take a few steps the next day. Eventually I was able to do so the next few days. Had the use of a bedside pain-med pump. The pain from arthritis was chronic. Pain from the OP was more than that, initially (waking from anesthesia in recovery room, of course, had me yelling.) Nurse said she'd aready given as much pain med that the MD would approve, but eventually more was approved. In rehab, I made good progress, had physical therapy twice daily, inceased my pain-free walking distances (all this was during two weeks prior to discovery of blood clot.) So, the surgery and immdiately after IS painful, but now 11 years out, I'd do it all again. Thanks to titanium implanted and excellent care from professionals.
I saw my consultant on tuesday of this week and the recent xray was on the monitor and a consent form on the desk. I was told the hip had deteriorated since last x rays a couple of years ago and the only treatment effective was a hip replacement. I was very surprised it was so bad although I have butec patches for this and back problems. I only had spinal surgery in April, and have had bursitis since. My surgeon is probably going to operate in the next couple of months as its a private hospital on the NHS. I would suggest you see your GP and ask to be referred again and if possible see someone in the private hospitals on the NHS like I did and you should be operated much quicker. By the way I am only 59 yrs.
Hi, thanks for the response! I have now been given appointment for pre op in September. The receptionist told me as long as alls well I will have my op within 3 months. I’m hoping soo we!
I had bloods and an ECG on Tuesday so hopefully that means it should be sooner than later. The only drawback is that I'm anaemic so that needs sorting first.
I have discussed the results with my Gp and he is happy for the op to go ahead and will Email the hospital to tell them. Also he said its usually only a couple of months wait.😀
Really pleased for you! Are you going private? If not I don’t want to depress you but on NHS the wait is very long! My surgeon told me last month that from my X-ray back last September I should have had the op within 3 months! Fast forward almost a year and I’m still waiting as priority! X-ray done now shows it’s deteriorating fast. Obviously was bone on bone last year now it’s crumbling and likely to collapse! He told me even on priority and the 3 month wait it’s around 18 months! He did say I’m around 12 so on his reckoning I will have by the end of the year. Not sure how long after pre op the surgery is done. I really hope you get it soon as I know how excruciating the pain is!1 thing I would advise is to keep on at tgem as if you don’t you will be “forgotten about”
It's usually a good sign when the hospital take a pre-op blood and ECG at the same time as I was listed, and then they told me I would next hear 2 weeks before the op for a chat presumably about toilet and chair heights, but the bloods were all done. I am having the op in a private hospital on the NHS. I had a spine op back in April the same way and was only waiting a couple of months. The hospital for my hip said it would be a couple of months as there was no list as such, my GP also confirmed this.
That’s such good news!! Where about in the country are you? I had some sort of what they called pre op also last year where they done bloods, ECG, weight ect ect but then nothing! I’m praying after this one in September is very soon after the actual Op! Just taking forever l!
No not yet but they have said with in the next 3 months. They have given me the stuff you need to wash with on the day and the night before surgery and something you need to put around your nostrils. They have also delivered some items I will need after surgery such as commode 🤣. The nurse who came to see me assessing other things I could need has said that as I have been given the wash stuff it mean my op is imminent 😬 Are you all ready for your op? I’m very scared
Yes when I had my spinal op I had swabs taken to check for MSRA and because I wasn't local gave me the washing liquid. This was at my pre op a couple of weeks before my op, so hopefully you won't be long.😀
Ahh fingers crossed! At least if I get a date I can’t start to mentally prepare myself. Yes I also had the MRSA swab one at the pre op so hopefully won’t be long
Hello again! Well I chased up the hospital again this morning and have now been given a date! 28th November the day after yours! I’m so excited to be pain free at last……I am actually terrified also 😬
Not long to wait now, I should have had my pre op assessment on Monday 13th but it was changed to 21st, then op on 27th. but bloods on 25th. Good luck.
Wow how exciting! A week or so after given my date I was at work and they called me to ask if I wanted to take a cancellation l! Well I was delighted as you can imagine but they said it was tgd following day! I was gutted as had nothing ready do had to turn it down 😭 They have since called me to say my op will now be on the 5th December! I just pray they do not reschedule again! I’m really excited but I’m also petrified! How are you feeling about yours?
I'm used to having surgery, mainly for small things although I have had a couple of orthopaedic ops in the past, but I feel less comfortable about this one. I don't want spinal as I had a few lumbar punctures a few years ago which were very painful and even the consultant anaesthetist struggled, and since then I've had spinal surgery so I don't want anyone touching my spine. I think quite honestly it's the fear of the unknown that's making me twitchy. I'm sure I'll be fine after my pre-op assessment and I know a little more of what to expect. Good luck with yours and I hope they don't change the date.😀
Hello! I’m hoping they put me out as I don’t want to be awake! They were talking of spinal block but I don’t want to be awake and hear it all ! I’ve not had a general in over 35 year? Let me know how your op goes hope it all goes well for you!
Just an update, pre op on Tuesday went ok, told because I have a couple of illnesses, which the surgeon knew about and was not concerned, the anaesthetist was to look at my meds so he was aware what I was taking. This was routine and not anything unusual. Thursday at 4ish I had a phone call from the hospital, this is a private hospital, although the op is on the NHS. I thought it was to give me the time of admission as I was due to call tomorrow. No it was to Cancel the op as the anaesthetist thought it would be safer to have it in an NHS hospital in case of complications .I was gutted , as I had my spinal surgery just a few months earlier in a different private hospital with no problems. I now have to wait again as the consultant is not one in my trust so I don't know what will happen. I hope yours goes ok and you don't face any problems
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