Can you just ask your Dr for surgery?

[GRnads]

I'm wanting surgery on my knees to correct my chondromylasia patella.

I've had it since I was 9yrs old, I'm now 24 and it's really starting to affect my life.

Can I just ask my Dr to refer me for surgery?

[bantam12]

You can ask for an Orthopaedic referral but it doesn't mean you will get the operation. Where I live we now have to be referred to an Orthopaedic Assessment clinic where we are assessed by a specialist physio then they decide on the treatment. I was sent on to a hand surgeon but he then refused to operate, waste of time.

So yep ask for referral and see what happens, good luck.

[GRnads in reply to bantam12]

Thanks.

I've had physio and it helped for a while but doesn't appear to be anymore. I'll see if I can get in with the Dr.

[Della30]

If it is affecting your quality of life it is well within your rights to ask your Gp to refer you to the appropriate dept who wd assess and discuss your options with you. Good luck. Let us know how you get on

[GRnads in reply to Della30]

Thank you. I've coped fairly well all these years but over the last year I'm getting more dislocations, more pain and struggling to do exercise.

I think if I could still do the exercise I'd be fine to continue coping.

[Della30 in reply to GRnads]

It’s your life, yours health and these days it is who shouts the loudest. You are well within your absolute right to ask to be referred to the appropriate specialist as GPs are generalist. Even with specialists you can ask for several opinions. You are doing the best that you can but if the time has come for surgery then ask for it or better shout for it. Don’t live in pain and fear. Make your voice and your needs heard. Keep us up to date pls. Good luck.

[GRnads in reply to Della30]

Thank you xx

I'll update once see my GP but that normally takes a couple weeks x

[shortandround in reply to Della30]

You can ask for a second opinion when seeing a consultant and that is usually doable - but you can’t ask for several opinions.

GP’s are marvellous. They have had extensive training - it may well be that your GP spent time as a junior doctor in rheumatology hence being good at rheumatolgical illness, another GP with respiratory medicine.

Generalists is a demeaning word, they have had a broad range of training.

Secondly the consultant can refuse to see you and your GP remove you if there is a break down in the relationship and they have given you a warning in the last year. Constantly challenging a GP and asking for a second opinion would suggest he is not trusted and therefore a breakdown in the relationship.

[GRnads]

To update quickly - I have my doctors appointment this afternoon. I've been researching and it looks like I won't be suitable for surgery due to hypermobility.

I've been referred for xrays to confirm the diagnosis as I've never had it confirmed.