Posted , 21 users are following.
I am in East Anglia and my GP wrote to my surgeon three weeks ago to request an expedite for my THR as I've been in so much pain for nearly a year and the pain relief isn't working at all in the night. I'm 75, I've had children so I do know what acute pain feels like. At least you get a baby afterwards,but with this unrelenting pain you just pray for an early surgery date.
We heard nothing back from the hospital so I rang the surgeon's secretary myself this morning and she said she would phone me back once she'd found out what my surgeon was going to do. She said a lot of his patients liked him so much they only wanted him to do the surgery on their second hip and because of this the waiting list is going on for over 7 months from the time you're put on the list. I was put on the list in June so that would mean I wouldn't get a pre assessment until January/February of next year.
She phoned me back to say the surgeon had read my doctor's letter but he wasn't intending bringing my op forward. I was so upset when she said that, it was as if he didn't think my pain could be as bad as it is. I'm on liquid morphine, morphine patches, Amitriptyline anmd Naproxin. I can't walk at all now without a huge limp and quite honestly get no proper sleep whether I sleep on my back or my side. The relentless pain is always in my buttock and inner thigh/groin.
My Xray didn't look too bad when it was taken last February and I guess my surgeon is going on this. But even he said you get patients with very little damage but their pain is intolerable and you get patients with terrible looking hip joints and they never get much pain at all.
Has anyone on here had to wait around 8 months for their op? His secretary said there was a new consultant just starting there at the hospital and he wants to build up his own patient list. She asked if I'd like to go on his list in which case I'd be seen in two weeks, meet him, and then have surgery. So I said yes. Now I'm a bit worried as he hasn't done hip ops at that hospital yet. The original surgeon's wait would be another few months ahead because he is so popular. What do you all think? Would you be operated on by someone this new? All i know is he's a consultant not a registrar.
1 like, 48 replies
curtis_24156 sarah22500
Posted
Pippyj sarah22500
Posted
I'm also in East Anglia and waited around 7 months. Good luck with your op
sarah22500 Pippyj
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sandra67350 sarah22500
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Hi Sarah
Ask a few more questions as you are entitled I. E. How long has he been doing hip surgery and where was he working before. What prosthesis and what method (anterior/posterior /lateral) he usually uses. What age are the majority of his patients.
My opinion is that this op can be vety successful but it can all depend on the actual surgeon. It sounds very intricate cutting through muscles/tendons and reattaching them let alone ensuring hip is exactly in right position and aligned correctly.
Waiting 8 months is tough. If you are completely happy with answers of new consultant then you could go ahead. Problems with bad surgery can last year's not months.
That said it has to be appreciated that on a low percentage of patients with even the very best surgeon, things can still go wrong !!!
Tough decision for you. Just ensure you know all the facts.
Good luck
Sandra
sarah22500 sandra67350
Posted
Thanks Sandra, I can't see anyone with his name on the internet. It's a very unusual surname but there is no mention anywhere of a consultant with that name. I phoned my hospital to ask to speak to his secretary but the switchboard said there was no secretary for him as yet. She advised ringing back on Monday as no-one is there at the weekend. She even asked ME if he had actually started at the hospital yet!!! oh dear.....
lisa31002 sarah22500
Posted
Can you or someone look this new chap up on the internet ? Surely he must have worked/operated at another hospital before. There should be patient feedback. 👣
sarah22500 lisa31002
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jimbone sarah22500
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Sarah-
That is a terrible way to deal with a patient. Being from the US things are different. If you have the money or the insurance coverage the waits are nothing like that. On the other hand without insurance or the approximately $40,000 average cost of surgery you don't get to see anybody about much of anything. A health system that doesn't serve the population adequately IMO is disgraceful. Most experienced surgeons I have researched here in the states do many of these operations every week. It's hard to imagine any one surgeons schedule being that overloaded that it would take 7 months to even be seen. On the other hand listening to others here who have had the surgery [I am as yet uninsured] possibly the most crucial decision is the surgeon and their experience. When I get my hip done it will be based on the surgeon's long and successful history. I would be very reluctant to go with anyone else. I don't know the workings of the health care system in Britain but is it not possible to find a different, experienced surgeon for your operation? I've read of many there who are world renown for their expertise, but perhaps that is just not an option. Could your general physician not pull some strings or levers with a more strongly worded letter recommending advancing your surgery date? I am sorry to hear you are put in this position and suffering pain. Remember, you need to be a strong advocate for yourself when it comes to health care and health care systems [all of them]. Sometime the squeaky wheel gets greased first. Continue fighting. Ask them how they would behave if it was their own mom and would they be so cavalier toward her pain. Don't let them bully or intimidate you. Your taxes have funded their compensation and you have every right to expect being treated and dealt with fairly. Hoping the best for you.
Jimbone
sarah22500 jimbone
Posted
I believe patients in the UK do have to wait a fair bit longer than in the US. It's very upsetting when you're in so much pain.
RichardKen sarah22500
Posted
Dear Sarah
How horrible for you but all is not lost if you grasp the opportunities that there should be out there.
Firstly whilst it is tempting to select your surgeon based on how well you or friends get on with them is perhaps a bit of a 'cop out' You should be basing your choice on his experience and ability to perform.
In the UK we have the opportunity to look at hospital records that show the number of procedures a particular surgeon has performed over past years and the success rates. If you combine this information with feedback from people who have had good outcomes you are going to be making a good choice. I would suggest that you look at alternative hospitals that can give you the surgery in a shorter time and measures up as regards to the surgeon.
I would strongly caution you to making your choice based on the Anterior or Posterior approach. I good surgeon should know what is best for you. It may be tempting to be swayed by talk of quicker recoveries from the anterior approach combined with a smaller length scar.
My original hip prosthesis was done twenty years ago when I was 55 using the posterior approach and I had a very rapid pain free recovery and the scar healed quickly and I was pretty well fully recovered in a matter of weeks. The revision of it a few months ago was using the posterior approach again at age 76 and although it was a slower recovery due to bruising as I was on blood thinning tablets, but after eight weeks weight bearing I was to all intents and purposes fully recovered and have normal mobility.
The anterior approach has certain problems for some people due I suspect to the reduced working space that the surgeon has available to them. I would want my surgeon to have plenty of working space to be able to do the very best job. The only time I would consider the anterior approach is where the surgeon has the use of a special drop table and is experienced in it's use.
All the best
Richard
sarah22500 RichardKen
Posted
I totally agree with your second paragraph Richard but please read my reply to Sandra. My original surgeon's admissions secretary asked me if I would like to go with this particular consultant as he was "new" and wanted to build up a patient list of his own. She said that if I agreed I could have a pre admissions appointment in 2 weeks and surgery two weeks after that. So I agreed but am now in two minds whether to wait until Spring next year and go with the original surgeon. I cant find ANY mention of a consultant with his (very unusual surname) anywhere on the internet. I will phone the admissions secretary again on Monday to ask her for all his details of work etc etc. I can't do much before then.
renee01952 sarah22500
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what am I saying ...of course he is -
andychap99 sarah22500
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Don't wait, go for it. He must be good to get the job!
RichardKen sarah22500
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Find out where he previously worked and check on his operating records. If it adds up you have an easy decision to make.
Good luck
Richard
jacq23288 sarah22500
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Hi Sarah I have been on the waiting list for 26 weeks now and I am at my wits end, I am struggling to walk as the pain is horrendous I am sitting up in bed sleeping or should I say trying to sleep as I can't lie on the hip waiting to get replaced and I have not been able to lie on other hip since it was replaced in 2015. As a result of this I now have bed sores which are not pleasant. My GP wrote to the consultant to try and get it expedited, but apparently my hip because it's a complex hip operation needs two surgeons and the problem is them trying to tie up there time and get theatre time as the op will be 6 hours plus, but in the meantime I am left really suffering. I am in Lanarkshire Scotland, I hope you hear soon as they would not let an animal suffer like this. Good Luck
Big Hugs
Jacq x
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