No Follow up from Surgeon after Fusion Surgery.

sailrib

Hey.

Thought I would ask if you are meant to have a follow up after fusion surgery. I have had fusion surgery at beginning of September and since then have only has appointments with plaster room.

I was meant to have an appointment with surgeon on Friday but they cancelled it a few weeks ago and have not sent me one since, although I keep ringing him as well.

I feel a bit on my own as I have no other appointment with the plaster room and no appointment with the surgeon.
I am wondering whether I should take my cast off when it comes to the 12 weeks or should I leave it on for longer just in case?!
Totally confused, they class it as major surgery but yet no appointment with surgeon.

Thanks. (

elnafinn

In my experience you ALWAYS from a post op appointment with the consultant, usually about 6 weeks afterwards. This is well out of order to leave you abandonned like this. I would call the consultant's secretary and explain about the cancelled appointment which was not your doing and you have been left.

How many weeks ago is it now since you had the op. I canot remembe without looking back at your past threads.

If you get no joy from the consultants secretary and you have time before the 12 weeks are up, write a letter requesting a reply asap.

I would be so cross if this was me in your position.

Elna x

Poppyg1rl

Hi Sailrib,
That's not good being left without a follow up from the surgeon! It is major surgery and it shouldn't be left to you to keep chasing this up :???: my advice would be to see if you can speak to the surgeon's secretary, the hospital switchboard should be able to help you get the number.
Failing that, can you make an appointment to see your GP? I'm sure they would not be impressed with the situation at all.
Wishing you the best of luck Sailrib, do let us now how you get on? and remember, you're not alone in this, we care about you. x

sailrib

Have surgery on the 15th Sept.

Ive been ringing his sec but keep getting this answer phone message and I am never got back to.

I went to my GP last week to get a sick note for work and he just said that is not very good, you not been seen but he didn't seem like he would do anything.

I still have swelling next to my scar so I really think I need to be seen but hey ho, no one is listening.

If I am not seen before I can put full weight on my foot (10 days time), I am not going to start putting weight on it until I am seen, as much as I want to, as it is easier.

Better safe then sorry.

I will write him a letter, did not think of that. Should I just address it to the name of my surgeon and then the address of the hospital, nothing else?

Thank u.

lindalegs

Everyone should have a follow-up appointment six weeks after surgery.

I suggest you don't remove the plaster yourself Sailrib :shock: you could hurt yourself as you don't have the correct tools.

I would be a nuisance and keep leaving a message on the secretary's answer phone at regular intervals till they rang me back and also go and see my GP to ask him to get his finger out and find out what's happening at the hospital. You should not be left high and dry like this!

Let us know what happens.

cloud9

If I were you I would just turn up at the orthopaedic outpatients dept. and tell them you're not happy. I had arthrodesis surgery and was seen once per week, by my consultant, and, on top of that, if I had concerns, I was allowed to show up at any time and one of his team would see me. I did have wound healing problems but that's not the point. You could have all sorts of things going on and they wouldn't be aware of it. Go down there and demand to talk to someone with your concerns. As for weight bearing, I would definitely be careful there in case you haven't fused properly. If you get no joy, go to your hospitals PALS dept and complain. Good luck and keep us informed.

elnafinn

Hi Sailrib

So it is 8 weeks this Thursday since your operation.

If the hospital is not too far from you and you are able to go there, without too much trouble, I would go and make yourself known and why you are there as Sue has suggested. I would also write a letter, you can take a copy there if you wish but it is best to send the letter Recorded Delivery to the surgeon at the hospital concerned so it has to be signed for. You are then able to track it and know it has been received. Recorded delivery costs around 75p plus the cost of first or second class postage and you are issued with a receipt to keep.

I would also contact PALS. If you google PALS you will be able to find the one nearest to you and there should be a telephone number for you to call to explain the predicament you are in at this time and the lack of care you are receiving.

If you keep leaving messages for his secreretary and it is always ansafone and you never get called back are you sure it is the correct number to call. Do you go through the switchboard?

I am so cross for you that you have been left in limbo like this.

Elna x

barbara12

Hi
The others have said it all really, but please dont leave it much longer, its awful how they have left you to it.
You keep ringing, or like someone said just go along to the hospital.

cacyhi

Hi Sailrib

I was wondering how you were getting on. ????

Everyone has given you good advice in this thread. Even when you do get to see the consultant they sometimes have so little time to answer your questions or worries. After my triple fusion I was seen at 6 , 9 and today at 12 weeks. Now I am not due to see him until 3 months which is all pretty reasonable (and ive seen him once as an emergency as well)
Ive also got appointments with physio and the orthotics people in the pipeline.

How could they not give you a date to see the consultant to decide when your plaster cast comes off - thats ridiculous!!! At certain times it pays to be a bit demanding, for your own good. good luck with getting all this sorted.

salamander

Hi there, I had surgery a few years ago with no follow up appointment at all. I was shocked but when I developed complications they had to see me. If it happened to me again I would just phone the consultant's secretary and make sure someone sees you. Good luck.

julie47

Hi Sailrib

Please keep trying until you get the appointment. It is important to be seen after an operation.

Juliepf x

elnafinn

Any further with your investigations regarding a followup, Sailrib?

Elna x

dachshund

Hi Sailrib.
i had a fusion in june i saw the ortho after 6 weeks and i had a exray and again in 12 weeks. my plaster was on for 12 weeks.
how many exrays have you had you have not been treated very good. i hope you have an apointment soon dont worry we are here for you.
take care. joan xx

prefabkid47

I haven't had a fusion but did have an ankle replacement and was in plaster for about 8 weeks and a brace for another 4 weeks.
Am astounded you haven't had an appointment to see the surgeon.It should be his decision if and when to remove the cast and this should be in conjunction with an X ray............... :eek:
Be persistent and please keep us informed.
Ron