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Discharged at 6 months

Posted , 6 users are following.

val14381
val14381

Had my 6 month check up today. Didn't get to see the consultant yet again. But his understudy was very nice & answered all my questions. I had an x-Ray first which shows extensive arthritis in my other hip which will also need replacing shortly. 

I waited 3 years to get this one sorted & don't want to go through that again but they will not do it without a referral from my GP or the hospital doesn't get paid for it!

i know a lot of you have both hips replaced, is this what you all had to do? I feel like I'm back to square 1. 

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • christine2107
    christine2107 val14381

    Posted

    Hi Val

    Yes I am afraid thats the process. The other hip, even if it is attached to the same patient is a different problem and has to go to the start of the waiting list. The NHS number counting approach does not help here.

    What you can do is pay to see your consultant privately in the meantime. That gets him- cogitating so that when you see him in clinic then he may already be willing to offer you a replacement rather than the initial appt which can be a "go away and think of the options". I have done this and it does not get me jumping the operation waiting list which is fair, but it does speed up the to and fro discussion with the consultant - it costs around £150-£180 so worth thinking about.

    I had one done in Dec 13, the other one done in June 15 and before Dec 15 the first one will be revised. So glad I have this forum as a sanctuary!

    Good luck

    Chris

    • val14381
      val14381 christine2107

      Posted

      Hi Chris

      thanks for the info,. If it starts getting as bad as my other one it is certainly worth paying to see consultant. I found that was the worst part, not knowing if they were going to do the replacement or not. I'm not at that stage yet but judging by the x-Rays it's going to be in the next couple of years. 

    • christine2107
      christine2107 val14381

      Posted

      Hi Val

      My other hip gave way for the first time 2 weeks after my first replacement and then went downhill very quickly after then. Good luck and get it done as soon as you can - we never know what other health stuff is lurking round the corner to mug us and at least ortho stuff has a good chance of success

      xxx Chris

    • val14381
      val14381 christine2107

      Posted

      Hi Chris

      I'm hoping not to have any more health Issues! I'm 66 & this is the first time I've been in hospital. Had my 3 children at home cos I was scared to death of hospitals. Like you say, we never know what's round the corner. Hopefully it will be George a looney with a bottle of wine & a box of chocolates!xx

  • Guest
    Guest val14381

    Posted

    I have had today to get my GP to refer me today to have my other hip done. When I asked to see the same consultant she said she would do her best and try to swing it for me, as usually you just go to the orthopedics dept and they triage you and assign you to a Consultant. She sees no reason that there should be any change. She also told me the same thing that the hospital won't get paid if they don't go through this proceedure. Hope you understand this smile Love Gill xxx
    • val14381
      val14381 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Gill

      I was surprised when he told me they wouldn't get paid unless you were referred from GP. I thought once you were on their list that you would be able to go directly to them for the next one.

      Ours is a fairly small hospital so I would hope to see the same consultant again. 

      Hope you don't have to wait too long

      Val.x

  • Paula8080
    Paula8080 val14381

    Posted

    Hi Val

    I had a RTHR on 28th April this year.

    I had an MRI scan in January this year with dye injected into the joint.  When I saw my consultant for the results he said I had advanced arthritis in both hips.  I said 'so you can see the left hip is bad too, even though it wasn't injected?'  He said yes.  I said 'please tell me I won't have to go through all this again it's taken so long to get a diagnosis for my right hip?'  He said no, you are mine now!

    At my 6 week check following my RTHR, I mentioned my left hip and the pain I was in and he said just to be sure he would send me for another MRI with dye.  He has now told me the left hip is not as advanced as the right was and has said to consider having an Arthroscopy

    I have not been referred back to my GP and I have been placed on the list for the procedure.  I do have my doubts about the arthroscopy as people have said it tends to make things worse rather than better. However, I'm at the stage where I am not able to get the best from my new hip because of the other one. I have to do this first but I predict I will be back on here in a few months waiting for a replacement!

    I hope you don't have to wait too long

    Paula x

    • val14381
      val14381 Paula8080

      Posted

      Hi Paula

      i don't know much about arthroscopy, is it supposed to "fix" the hip before it gets to replacement stage? If it's only a temporary fix then surely it's better just to get a replacement. 

       

    • Paula8080
      Paula8080 val14381

      Posted

      Hi Val

      Yes, it's a fix, well supposed to be.  I've read where people have had the procedure and once the surgeon gets in to the hip the damage is worse which is why they are not very successful.

      Unfortunately he's not offering a replacement at this stage so I will go with the Arthroscopy and see how I am after!

      Thanks

      Paula

    • christine2107
      christine2107 Paula8080

      Posted

      Paula

      Arthroscopy is only done where the consultant thinks there is a good chance of success. It can involve very successful repairs to cartilege and if this is done soon enough the cartilege contiues to protect the hip from bone on bone. So if successful it is not a temporary fix - just a much less invasive treatment than THR and it keeps you own joint good for years. My butcher had it done and is right as rain and back to all his sports in his late 40s.

      I know about this because before I had THR I had this procedure. The consultant explained to me that he thought there was 50/50 chance of success however he could not see arthritis from MRI or Xray so he said he would do arthroscopy because he may be able to repair my labrum and if not then he could look inside the joint for evidence of arthritis - which is what he found. So the arthroscopy allowed me to be referred to a hip replacement specialist.

      Do find out more about it - theres a lot on the internet that is medically accurate.

      Finally good luck

      Chris

    • Paula8080
      Paula8080 christine2107

      Posted

      Thanks Christine, I will keep my fingers crossed that a repair job will work for me 😀
  • denise18714
    denise18714 val14381

    Posted

    Helllo

    ive had both hips done april 2014 and feb 2015 my consultant knew both were bad once the right hip was replaced we then waited awhile and then i was put on the list for operation. 

    dee x

  • Hailea
    Hailea val14381

    Posted

    Hi Val

    I waited almost 4 years for my left hip to be done. I didn't need my GP's referal because my GP kn ew both hips were bad. So My surgeon is just going to get on with it in September as long as nothing else goes wrong for me. I suggest you get onto your GP tomorrow and then give it two weeks then contact your surgeons secretary and see if he will be doing your other hip and if so how long will you have to wait. Just keep phoning up every couple of weeks. it is all you can do.

  • Gossip
    Gossip val14381

    Posted

    Val I feel or you as we've all been ther at some stage. But I think a lot depends on where you attend. I went for 2nd opinion yesterday as 1st Dr told me I needed both done & 2nd Dr said the same but he said don't wait 12 months do it within 3 months. I didn't think my left hip was that bad until he went through everything with me. And now I can't wait. I have private health insurance at a huge cost (that we really cant afford but won't let it go) so maybe that's the difference. I think if u don't have private insurance drs look at patients as the most immediately needing surgery. I hope u get sorted soon. Keep us posted on Ur progress x
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