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How Long Did you wait for THR?

Posted , 11 users are following.

ptolemy
ptolemy

How long did people have to wait for their hip replacements? This is a potted version of where I am at the moment, I hope I am not too boring. 

- Two years ago I was in the supermarket and felt faint, the next thing I knew I was flat on the floor surrounded by staff. I then discovered I could not stand by myself, but two burly shop assistants pulled me up and dumped me in a wheelchair. Came home and had terrible pain in top of right thigh.

- Went to an osteopath with GP approval, who worked on my right thigh. She said I might have a vascular problem as I had a heavy leg and it was painful to lift it up, so went to vascular surgeon with GP approval.

- A year ago Vascular surgeon said I had phlebitis in my right thigh and if I did not do something it would get much worse, so I had the main vein in my right leg removed and some little ones. Paid privately for VNUS Closure procedure and sclerotherapy, rather than vein stripping. It did not make a blind bit of difference to the heavy leg and pain, if anything it was worse. 

- Went to physio to try and relief the pain. She said it could be a nicked femoral artery and bursitis.

- Went to GP who referred me to another GP who can do steroid injections. He said it was not bursitis but could be a torn muscle. Suggested I had blood tests.

- GP said there was nothing he could do, but gave me paracetamol. I asked if I could have a scan, he said it would not help. I then said could I see a consultant privately. He gave me a phone number and said phone him.

- Made an appointment with consultant, GP gave consultant a letter saying I was fully mobile, and weight bearing. Minor muscle pain and it was my request to see the consultant! In fact the letter was rubbish. By this time I was in agony and pretty well housebound. 

- This week I saw the consultant, lay on the bed and in five seconds he sad "It's your hip". This was the first time anyone had mentioned the word HIP. 

- Had an x-ray, went back to consultant who said you need a hip replacement NOW or you will be in a wheelchair by Christmas as the whole hip joint is clobbered, he actually used medical terms to say that! I was gobsmacked. 

- I have discovered going privately is very pricey. How long will I have to wait for an operation on the NHS? The consultant is supposed to be writing to my GP. I am not sure what I should say to my GP apart I am not a happy bunny! 

2 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • Barmaid18
    Barmaid18 ptolemy

    Posted

    One they had decided to go ahead with thr it was 14 weeks wait, I'm now 5 weeks post op
  • Barmaid18
    Barmaid18 ptolemy

    Posted

    One they had decided to go ahead with thr it was 14 weeks wait, I'm now 5 weeks post op
  • catrin46108
    catrin46108 ptolemy

    Posted

    I won't go into my story but I was (eventually) referred to the consultant on NHS (after making a private appointment) in October 2014. I had my operation in February 2015 but did have a January date which I had to cancel due to heavy cold. As he knows your situation he can probably fast track you in some way? As for GP make a complaint? Though I'm not sure how these days but definitely go and see him/her and say what has transpired and say you weren't happy with the letter
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy catrin46108

      Posted

      I just cannot believe that he had no inkling of the problem. He did exactly the same check as the consultant (who diagnosed in seconds) and said I was fully mobile even though I said I had trouble walking, getting in and out of cars and going up and down stairs. A friend went to see him recently and he said to her what do expect at your age (63) of course you will have aches and pains. Another friend was in agony with cistitis and he told her "we are not a drop in surgery".  I think he is lazy as everyone waits about an hour to see him as he always comes in late in the morning. As he is the most senior I suppose he gets away with it. 
  • mishelle46654
    mishelle46654 ptolemy

    Posted

    You can request a different gp if you are not happy with the diagnosis and attitude of your current one. The nhs has a promise to offer a date for surgery within 18 weeks of referral (12 weeks in scotland)

    I will admit I am one of the few who have had a bad experience with nhs waiting times. I was told about the surgery in November 2015 and am still waiting for a date. My surgeon just kept constantly canceling my surgery and pushing it back. I have now requested a different surgeon, downside of this is that I am at the bottom of the list again, and this whole time my other (good) hip is now wearing away and causing even more pain!

    My advice would be to keep contacting the surgeon once you are approved for surgery. I have noticed that once you go past the 12 week wait they dont really seem to care, so push like mad to get a date asap!

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy mishelle46654

      Posted

      Thanks Mishelle, that is really helpful. I am just so glad I paid to see the consultant or I could be in real trouble. 
  • vanessa88276
    vanessa88276 ptolemy

    Posted

    Oh my goodness poor you :-( xx I had my right hip done in Dec as it was bone on bone and very painful and my left is being done 23rd June as also bone on bone my first hip I waited for about 2 months to get done so not very long at all and that was on NHS hope you get sorted soon xx
    • Jacquijill79
      Jacquijill79 vanessa88276

      Posted

      Hi Vanessa,

      this question of how long is a very important one.   I will post my story soon, but I wonder where we all come from?   Which part of the country were you in for your surgery?

      jill x

  • Malloo
    Malloo ptolemy

    Posted

    Oh that sounds awful. I guess from my first GP visit, then physio, then steroid injection, then consultant it took a year, but only 4 months from seeing the consultant. Good luck - it sounds like you are in the system now, so hopefully not too long to wait. X

     

  • suzie56
    suzie56 ptolemy

    Posted

    hi sorry to hear you've been messed around and while in awful pain, I have a really good GP and he sent me for an xray immediately. I started my journey Jan 2015 - physio and pain meds, but seriously for the op in Jan this year.  I think it's a bit of a lottery where you live.  My doctors has NHS choices or choose and book which enabled me to go where I wanted on a very long list. My local hospital was 60 days to see a consultant and who knows how long for the op, we have a local orthapaedic hospital run for the nhs their waiting time was approx 2 weeks to see a consultant and about another 6-8 weeks to op but in the end I went to a local (10miles) private hospital, Feb this year, had consultation within a week I would have had to wait 3 weeks for op but had to loose some weight so went in April they even moved the op forward 5 days.  It was a great experience, I had read that they would treat me differently being an NHS patient, all I can say they must have attended to the private patients every 30 mins night & day the service, meds and food were excellent and I was monitored very closely.  Good luck and hope they soon get you in.
  • fiona_08868
    fiona_08868 ptolemy

    Posted

    I feel so bad for you as I can relate. I had a year and a half of extreme pain from my back down to my knees. I could barely walk and got nowhere with my GP and pain specialist. Finally I started seeing a chiropractor who told me to tell my Dr to x-ray my hips. He agreed and I was told severe OA on both hips. From the diagnosis to my first surgery was about 10 weeks but it varies everywhere. Good luck and really push your GP! I have one to go and although I'm not looking forward to it I know I need to get it over with so I can start to enjoy life again. By the way, my pain is substantially less now even though leg 2 is holding me back.
  • fiona_08868
    fiona_08868 ptolemy

    Posted

    I feel so bad for you as I can relate. I had a year and a half of extreme pain from my back down to my knees. I could barely walk and got nowhere with my GP and pain specialist. Finally I started seeing a chiropractor who told me to tell my Dr to x-ray my hips. He agreed and I was told severe OA on both hips. From the diagnosis to my first surgery was about 10 weeks but it varies everywhere. Good luck and really push your GP! I have one to go and although I'm not looking forward to it I know I need to get it over with so I can start to enjoy life again. By the way, my pain is substantially less now even though leg 2 is holding me back.
  • Lorna020247
    Lorna020247 ptolemy

    Posted

    You really have been through it poor you.

    i would have thought your GP should have referred you to a consultant months ago.  I waited from referral  with consultant to op 6 months this was Nhs I thought was not bad. I live in Kent UK  Idont see you should have to pay private your GP should push things he has not been very good to you in my opinion.  I wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

    Regards Lorna 

     

  • Lorna020247
    Lorna020247 ptolemy

    Posted

    You really have been through it poor you.

    i would have thought your GP should have referred you to a consultant months ago.  I waited from referral  with consultant to op 6 months this was Nhs I thought was not bad. I live in Kent UK  

    Ask GP to try hurry things .  I wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

    Regards Lorna 

     

  • Lorna020247
    Lorna020247 ptolemy

    Posted

    You really have been through it poor you.

    I waited from referral  with consultant to op 6 months this was Nhs I thought was not bad. I live in Kent UK  

    Ask GP to try hurry things .  I wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

    Regards Lorna 

     

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