referral for surgical opinion on hip

You would not of been sent to see a surgeon unless they thought you needed to see the surgeon, although I am now been retired a month now, I had a rthp done back in May and I was working full time, unless your employer pays sick pay, you will be entitled to statutory sick pay, I think you will find that you will be taken seriously

Hi

You wouldnt have been sent to see an orthopaedic surgeon unless they were tking you seriously.

Dont think you'll need to worry aboutQ & A the first time......they'll probably do all the asking to start with.

Before you go have a notepad and as you think of things scribble them down. Where is the sorest, is there anything that makes it worse, just anything you want to ask. Then before you go just note it down.....bullet points, to remind you when you go there to ask him anything thats bothering you.

He might be the one like I say to do all the asking and possibly send you for X Ray or refer you for other scans.

Love

Eileen

ps  please let us know how things go.

Hello Angela,

I was also anxious that I would not be taken seriously when I had my consultant referral appointment, back in March. I was also working full time - and still am, three weeks before surgery. However, I need not have feared. The latest x-ray, requested by the consultant on the day, said it all for me really. There was no question of fobbing me off, suggesting I was too young (I'm 57) or that I wasn't in enough pain. My answers to his questioning indicated that the pain was interfering sufficiently with my life to justify the surgery. I don't think I was just lucky, but that the old school of waiting as long as possible to undertake hip replacements is dying out. Just be clear about the impact the pain is having on your life. If you have had a superfast referral, that would indicate that your case is serious enough. Good luck.

Angela

Hi

I worked full time and still went to the gym 3 times a week before I had my bilat THR 2 weeks ago. I had a flex shuffling gait and had seen a physio every week for 2 years prior to the surgery. I didnt sleep at night due to the pain, i diidnt go on shopping trips or long walks, i didnt go to gigs because i couldnt stand that long etc - its quality of life_ oh I forgot to mention struggling dressing, cutting toenails etc. List all the things you can no longer do before you see the surgeon.

When you assess the impact on the quality of your life you will know if the time is right for you to progress to surgery, Good luck! xx

Thanks everyone, I do feel nervous about this and had been expecting a longer wait from referral so guess that took me by surprise.

I shall give update when i have seen him.

Currently sat having brekkie before work with obligatory cornflakes and analgesics ! 😕

I've just got as far as a cup oif tea and analgesics. Just going to get washed and dressedand breakfast now.

We've got to get the important things out of the way first LOL   meds!!!!

Love

Eileen

Hi Angela

I had your concerns when I had my referral appt back in February.  Other people were coming to the clinic with one or two sticks/crutches - I just had my normal limp but I was in agony, but still managing to carry on working.  How was I going to convey how it was affecting my life? 

I had filled in an Oxford Hip Score questionnaire beforehand, which asks you 12 questions about how your hip pain affects you and what you can do - I think you can find this online.  I had done it honestly (it it open to abuse as it tells you the points you need to get a consultant referral),  If you are anxious, try and have a go at it and make a note of your responses to help with the discussion.

However, if you need a THR your X-ray will be all the evidence your consultant will need.  My consultant had decided I needed one before he hd even met me, by looking a the x-ray I had done 7 months ago.  My GP had said it wasn't bad enough and I was too young - both incorrect and I had struggled on with stronger and stronger pain killers.  That same x-ray told the consultant I needed it doing!  I didn't have another x-ray until just before my op on 14 May, and that was so they could get the right size bits for me.

Congratulations on getting such a quick appointment - don't worry, if you need an op, it will be evident to the specialist.

with best wishes

Cheryl

Well I saw the surgeon yesterday and chatted mainly for about 35mins.

The resurfacing is not an option at all so he didnt know why msk had mislead me that way.

He does think i could be a candidate for THR with ceramic bearings however I have a lot to consider with regard to my occupation due to the amount of time he anticipates I would need off sick.

He wants me to make sure if i go down the thr route i do it to benefit me and is not for my employers.

Another concern he has is the state of my back! He predicts this could be something that may have the potential to make recovery longer???

Anyhow he has given me two months to contemplate everything and research my position for my job (i am 53 work fulltime as an anticoagulant specialist nurse in hospital and community clinics).

He also said he can do a diagnostic injection into the hip that may show if my pain..groin...is due to the hip or the spine.

Goodness such a lot to think about.

I was referred to the consultant in August and have just had my pre op and hip school appts. I was so hoping that he would not fob me off but he took one look at my xray and told me i needed a LTHR. I am 50 and working full time but will get paid sick leave. GP, physio and previous consultant all told me I was too young - I have waited years and with much pain. So pleased somebody finally took me seriously.   Good luck with yours.

Waitin for an op date now. Good luck with yours.

Where abouts are you Angela I am in Cromer Norfolk

I live in Bexley, Kent so am under Kings College at Orpington. Impressed with the quickness of it all so far.