Have I done more damage?!

nearlybionic
nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
edited 13. Nov 2012, 19:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
It`s now nearly 3 weeks since my MUA injection into the hip and arthrogram. I was discharged without seeing the surgeon post op, with a lost of physio exercises to do 4 times a day (given to me pre op).
So although my pain was and still is bad, I did the physio as best I could. I saw my GP last week, who signed me off work for another 2 weeks and upped my meds for pain. I then got a phone call from the arthroplasty specialist nurse, who was very knowledgable and helpful. She looked at my notes and said I shouldn`t have been doing any physio yet as thye did a lot of damage in theatre when the manipulation was done. This will have caused a lot of inflammation etc.. She told me to stop all pysio and rest until today and then to restart physio exercises slowly, once a day initially etc.. and to ring her again this week. I have rested this weekend and today, my hip is extremly painful and weak. I am struggling with stairs, need to lift my leg using 2 hands to get into the car etc.. So I am now worried I have done more damamge by doing the physio that i was told to do.
She also told me that there is some narrowing of the joint in the hip and OA, as seen on the arthrogram. I am not sure if I should push the physio today or to wait? My hip says wait!!
Very worried now.
NB

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, this is a real dog's dinner, isn't it, NB? You have been discharged with no advice on what to do or not to do other than a sheet of exercises given pre-op. You are then told that you shouldn't have been doing them. That is bad practice and maybe a case for PALS.

    However, your main concern is, quite naturally, what do you do about your hip. You have been given advice by the nurse and feel worse for taking it. However, she has told you to get back to her this week so I suggest you do as she said, exercise very little and very gently but, when you speak later in the week, decide in advance exactly what you want out of the conversation. Personally, I'd be wanting another appointment with the consultant asap.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree with Sticky. They have not handled this well at all (apart from the arthro nurse but where was she when you were in and being done?) and as usual it's the patient who ends up bearing the brunt of the worry and concern. I would be very cautious with resuming the exercises and yes, start compiling a dossier on what happened when, what you were told (or not) etc so that you are primed and ready for action. Dammit, NB, this is not on, is it? As for damage, well, I don't know but the human body is quite a resilient thing and I hope that not too much harm has been done. If it turns out that it has then that is not your fault in any way, shape or form. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sticky and DD
    I have a follow up appointment on 6th Dec and will be telling him my thoughts then!! Mr NB is really angry about it all too.
    DD, I have never even heard of the arthroplasty nurse before until last week whe the sec advised me to ring her. Surely I should have had her support after the THR too!! She was very good on the phone and I could tell she was looking through my records and reports as I spoke to her. There must be a few of them and she works with my consultant, so I am hoping she will be telling him that I have spoken to her.
    I am also worried about what happens next, as he told me pre op that his plan then was to offer 3 injections per year for pain relief and physio to strenghthen the hips.I think we need a new plan!!
    I have just been talking to my Mum who is also concerned about it all. She has offered to drive me to my next appointment if I am still struggling driving, and if Mr NB is working on the 6th dec.
    I am having a day inside in front of the fire, it is pouring down here.
    Thanks for your advice xx
    NB
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Don't hope she's told Mr Consultant that she's spoken to you, I would contact Mr C yourself and tell him becuase 06 December is a little way away as yet. Quite why she wasn't in touch before is a mystery to me but then I'm not a 'hippie' nor do I understand the arcane hierarchy and systems that our hospitals seem to employ when it comes down to people 'talking' to each other. Your day sounds rather pleasant - may I come and join you? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD
    yes of course you can join me! Plenty of room here in front of the fire :D
    I would like to speak to the consultant but it is always difficult to get past the gate keeper.. sorry secretary! I will ring the nurse again, maybe tomorrow, and if possible ask her if I should be seen sooner??
    I have decided to dig the crutches out again as I am really struggling with walking and a stick isn`t really enough. Not a happy bunny now, but needs must.
    Hope your preparations are going well for your wrist op`s. xx
    NB
  • lazicat
    lazicat Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had THR in July and like you felt very cast aside after one follow up appt with my consultant & 2 sessions of physio. Ive been up & down because of it , as its very scary. My GP & this forum has been a great support.
    I agree that there should be more aftercare/support as ofen problems dont happen initially, only as you start to do more.
    Im amazed how I have just been left to get on with it.
    If you need someone to talk to PM me x
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lazicat
    Thanks for your message.
    I see my consultant annually for a review of my THR but to be honest I have probably seen someone more often because of problems eg the dislocation and about my other hip. I am just a bit fed up at the moment.
    Hope you are ok x
    NB
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    NB this is awful treatment but sadly its becoming the norm in some places,I do hope you get your say when you go back,if it doesn't help you ..hopefully they will change there procedures...its not rocket science to give people the right info to take home with them, I do hope you haven't done any damage...fingers crossed
    Love
    Barbara
  • kentishlady
    kentishlady Member Posts: 809
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Nearly Bionic. Am so sorry to hear you are experiencing such problems with conflicting advice. It really isn't good enough and it leaves you wondering and worrying what on earth you should or should not be doing.

    I've had a similar experience somewhile ago. I have OA in my back which is badly affected and eventually, after a long struggle with my GP, she referred me for physio. I had all different sorts of treatment in cluding traction. When I went to see the Pain Consultant last year he ws asking what treatment/physion I had had. When I told him I had had traction, he threw up his hands in horror and said I should never on this earth have been given that. How much damage or how much effect it is had on the deterioration of the state of my back is, of course, open to question, but it emphasises the point that we poor suffering patients are at the mercy of the medical staff giving us the correct treatment/advice.

    I do hope your pain will ease soon and that your next appointment with your consultant will help.

    Take care.

    Beryl
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi NB

    Thats not great organisation is it...I know you were in around same time as me and they should have given you specific advice when you were discharged...Hopefully the damage hasnt been done otherwise id say you have a claim against them...They are usually very good but something's gone amiss here...

    Hope you get it sorted...

    Elainexx
    Hi
    It`s now nearly 3 weeks since my MUA injection into the hip and arthrogram. I was discharged without seeing the surgeon post op, with a lost of physio exercises to do 4 times a day (given to me pre op).
    So although my pain was and still is bad, I did the physio as best I could. I saw my GP last week, who signed me off work for another 2 weeks and upped my meds for pain. I then got a phone call from the arthroplasty specialist nurse, who was very knowledgable and helpful. She looked at my notes and said I shouldn`t have been doing any physio yet as thye did a lot of damage in theatre when the manipulation was done. This will have caused a lot of inflammation etc.. She told me to stop all pysio and rest until today and then to restart physio exercises slowly, once a day initially etc.. and to ring her again this week. I have rested this weekend and today, my hip is extremly painful and weak. I am struggling with stairs, need to lift my leg using 2 hands to get into the car etc.. So I am now worried I have done more damamge by doing the physio that i was told to do.
    She also told me that there is some narrowing of the joint in the hip and OA, as seen on the arthrogram. I am not sure if I should push the physio today or to wait? My hip says wait!!
    Very worried now.
    NB
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara, Beryl and Elaine
    Thanks for your messages. I am probably going to ring the nurse later today to see what she advises now. Resting from physio hasn`t made any difference to the pain or weakness. I am having to climb upstairs one step at a time (both feet) as per post THR as if I try to do them normally I am dragging my right leg out to the side as I can`t lift it properly.
    Elaine, yes I went in the day before you and have never had any problems with them there before. I am not interested in making a claim or anything, I just want it to improve.
    I have company today as my daughter is off school unwell. Well, I say company, she is in bed still!
    Quiet day again for me.
    NB
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Nearly... they have really not done the best for you at all!

    I think the other advice you have had is spot on and I would listen to your hip but broad side them on the 6th!

    Really wish it was all easier for you but thinking of you and well the eyes are nun to good but I hope you can read this.

    Leaving a bucket of make nearly better as well as some pain away and hope drafts,/ Cris xx