Still no follow up after fusion surgery in September :o(

sailrib
sailrib Member Posts: 327
edited 3. Dec 2011, 12:34 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, Sorry had no internet for a long time.

Just thought I would let you know that I have still had no follow up after fusion surgery back in september.

23 weeks after surgery is my first follow up after fusion surgery. Think its crazy how they think that is acceptable. I can take my cast off in 2 weeks, as they said in the hospital, but dont want to, just in case there is a problem.

Im not getting any pain apart from when I really move my toes which I think its because the ligaments and tendons have not been used for ages.

I have this huge lump next to my scar which gets bigger through out the day, that is my only concern, I think?!!

I was told I would start 2 months of physio once the cast comes off but I guess I wont be having that now.

Can anyone recommend anything that I could do, to help myself through this. I have already started stretching by reaching down and touching my toes as I feel so sift down the back of my leg.

What has other people done once they got their cast off??

Thanks everyone.

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have you tried your GP to find out why you've had no follow-up? I've never heard of anyone taking their own cast off :shock:

    Where is your surgeon? This is so shameful.

    What are you told when you ring?

    Have you tried writing to PALs

    Luv,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 1. Dec 2011, 12:18
    I am really worried for you Sailrib. It was the 8th November when you last posted regarding your worries about the lack of interest in you since you left the hospital. You must get an appointment, like yesterday.This is totally abysmal. You have had no aftercare. Have you anyone to help you get seen by someone. Did you write a letter like I suggested or a letter of complaint to PALS? Unfortunately I could not and would not suggest what you should do because you need to have it examined by a professional. I am sorry that I cannot be of more help and only wish I could be.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sailrib
    sailrib Member Posts: 327
    edited 1. Dec 2011, 17:34
    I went to my GP today to ask about the swelling and to say I have had no follow up yet.

    He just looked at me, not even my foot and then wrote my out some anti inflam.

    My cast is a removable cast, so I could keep an eye on the wound as I am so slow at healing.

    My surgeon is at the [text deleted].

    Who are PALS?

    When I ring, I get an answer phone and altho I leave a message, I never get a reply.

    I have wrote a letter and still no reply.

    Thanks x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Did you send the letter recorded delivery as I suggested? You need to send them another letter saying that you have received no reply and X number of weeks have gone by. Send a copy of the letter you originally sent with this reminder letter. You can say something like I enclose another copy of the letter since you may not have received it.( I hope you have a copy. ) Send it recorded delievery if you can. They try this on sometimes, ignoring the first letter but when reminded usually get their act together and send a response.

    Look up PALS on the internet. Plug in your postal code and you will or should get details of your local PALS. Phone them up and tell them your story.

    I feel devasted and so angry for you as I was at the beginning of November.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    You certainly do need to keep trying to contact some-one.
    I've never heard of anyone taking there own cast off.
    Have you tried to contact the surgeons secretary.
    Your GP sounds as useless as mine.Is there another one in the practice you can see. I wouldn't move until something was sorted.
    If you get no joy contact your local health authourity.
    Good grief...anything could be going on under that cast. I don't want to frighten you...but I am concerned.This is neglect. I hope you get something sorted soon. May
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As I understand it May, it is the consultant's secretary that Sailrib keeps phoning and was phoning a good three weeks ago, leaves messages and never has the courtesy of a call back. To me, this is gross negligence, surely. PALS will get their teeth into this for you, Sailrib, I am sure. I believe it was suggested to you to contact them last time.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 1. Dec 2011, 12:51
    Hi Sailrib

    Take a look at this:

    http://www.noc.nhs.uk/patientguide/pals.aspx

    You can phone and email them. The information is there on this link.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi... If you cant get through to the secretary, then I would ring the hospital direct and tell them that you have not had an appointment.
    Good luck with it, and please let us know how you get on
    Love
    Barbara
  • cloud9
    cloud9 Member Posts: 385
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey Sailrib, I've been through this surgery and had such a close and regular follow up. It really is appalling and I would definitely get in touch with PALS. I wouldn't want to suggest ANY exercises because everybody is so different in how they heal and mend and after going through all this you definitely don't want to do some damage. PLEASE ask PALS for help ASAP!
    Sue (Cloud9)
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sailrib

    I am wondering if you have been able to make any progress today to begin to get some post op help.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sailrib
    sailrib Member Posts: 327
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi.

    Ive had no luck again.

    I sent the letter recorded (always do, as so many people say 'have not got it').

    I will be contacting Pals monday morning.

    My surgeon is a sailor at my sailing club. Been up there on a number of sundays to try and catch him but he has not been there. Going up again tomorrow to see if I can catch him this time. Sunday is race day so this will be the day he will choose to go, I think?!

    I personally think I am lost in the system and the surgeon sec, just doesnt pass on the messages. She did not pass on one message that I left before the operation. When I saw him in clinic, he was not happy that she had not passed on the message.

    Ahhh, just dont know what to do but will get hold of PALs on monday.

    Thanks.

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