1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Advice would be appreciated

Posted , 7 users are following.

Supertractorman
Supertractorman

Am awaiting TKR and it looks like I will have waited 12 months on NHS before it gets done. My problem is my other knee is giving me more pain now, I think because I am trying to keep the weight off my other leg. It is worst at night in bed with calf pain, soreness of knee and thigh pain. When walking it is my instep, side of the foot and ankle are aching.

Any advice, tips would be most appreciated before this leg goes like the other.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

Next
  • joan17325
    joan17325 Supertractorman

    Posted

    It's true the good leg gets all the work therefore pain I'm in tomorrow for my left TKR I had right leg done january I only waited 4 months the first leg (Durham area) I'm now only got my operated leg that's good and even that is now hurting in the groin area all the extra load good luck for the future x

    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman joan17325

      Posted

      Thanks Joan, can't understand why waiting times are so different over the country. It seems to be that every week the pain is worse, now to be referred back to Physios for this other leg, which I feel is a delaying tactic, to keep statistics right.

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 Supertractorman

    Posted

    Are you using a stick?
    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman jenny80029

      Posted

      Hi Jenny,   Yes am using a stick and got another one yesterday to help walking a further distance.

      David

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Supertractorman

      Posted

      The physio may help, and using two sticks can at least mean you are more mobile. I had two walking pole type ones, which were light, a bit more "I am a walker really-ish " and kind of liberating. I also used a TENS machine, just around 20 pounds in cost, and wore that when I was painting, as it did work for me and at least it meant I could stand and work for a few hours.

      It is a shame about the wait for sure...I feel for you. But some of the issues might improve, i.e. with foot....

      What anti inflammatories are you on? Meloxicam was the only thing which worked for me, but I didn't take it more that a few days a weekand used ice mostly in the evening.

      Are you able to request to be contacted in case of cancellation?

      It might improve a bit...

    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman jenny80029

      Posted

      Am on maximum dose of Tramadol per day for night time use and Co-Dydramol four times a day. Asked for cancellation 3 months ago but as am on Blood Thinners for Pulmonary Embolisms I have to have 2 to 3 days clear before a procedure, which does not help I presume if it is a last minute cancellation but not helped that this Health Authority is in debt up to £30m I believe.

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Supertractorman

      Posted

      Could you have it under a different health authority? In a different area? I think you are allowed to?
    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman jenny80029

      Posted

      Investigated this and in Scotland if you can get it done in another area then your Health Authority has to pay for it, and they will refuse to do this as they would argue they are not prepared to spend their money out and you will have to wait in their area so it is not National but Local Health Service. Can't see much being done before next April and new financial year.

  • peterb64
    peterb64 Supertractorman

    Posted

    Cant help with your discomfort, but can with the 12 month wait.

    I spent the last couple of years asking my GP for a TKR referral, who kept telling me I wasnt ready. I then met (socially) with the Commercial Director of a well known Healthcare provider. He spoke with his Clinical Director the following morning and advised me to go back to my GP and simply ask for an E-referral. 6 weeks later I took a cancellation at my local, private hospital. Not a great result so far, but didnt have to wait too long and much as I love the NHS, Im confident that there is less chance of infection if the procedure is done privately. They have the money to keep it spotless ! 

    An E-referral is (according to my contact) a/your legal right, but its not well publicised.  You can read about it online. Apart from a short wait for the TKR I also had no more questions or stalling from my GP. Indeed, they seemed surprised when I hit them with the E-referral request and prepared the necessary paperwork inside 48 hours. You also get to choose where you want the procedure to be done...

    Hope this is of some use. If I can help more, please shout....

     

    • peterb64
      peterb64

      Posted

      To speed up the process, check out where you want the procedure to be done and who you would like to do it, so when you visit your GP for the E-referral, the paperwork can be sorted there and then and things can happen very quickly thereafter. 

      There are no such thing as 'league tables' for surgeons, so just ask your chosen hospital who they would recommend..

       

    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman peterb64

      Posted

      Peter,  Thanks for that it is very interesting and I had never heard of it. Just done an internet search with plenty of references to NHS England and the procedure to follow, but no references to NHS Scotland. Have already contacted my member of Scottish Parliament who has referred it to the Scottish Health Minister, but no reply yet. Have told them I would go anywhere to get rid of this pain, but know I will only get short periods of time for the procedure as get regular urine infections due to my Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer problems. Also hoping for Prostate removal to get permanently rid of infections.

      David

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.