Knee Update

Sarah01
Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
edited 21. May 2014, 12:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
Afternoon everyone,

Hope you are all enjoying this lovely weather :)

I saw the surgeon today regarding my knee. As some of you know I have had a slow recovery after my THR due to problems with the knee.

Firstly my surgeon was extremely annoyed to see me walk in still wearing the knee brace that I bought around 8 weeks ago. When I last saw him, he told me he would write to my local hospital and ask them to fit a special knee brace. He did this because he didn't want me having to make the 90 mile round trip just to get the brace fitted. Last week hubby rang my local hospital as we had not heard anything. Their reply was "sorry we can't do anything, we don't accept referrals from other consultants" :x They had sat on the letter for a few weeks and not had the courtesy to let either my surgeon or me know :x Quite ironic really seeing as the surgeon I saw at my local hospital when I was first diagnosed with OA in the hips had me referred to a specialist surgeon and the NHS trust would be funding all operations etc....

He was furious with the hospital as he had requested an urgent fitting of the knee brace. He said that his main priority when operating on younger people is to get them up and about and mobile as soon as possible. With me, the problems with my knee is slowing down my recovery with the THR. He also told me that there is no policy in place which does not allow a consultant/surgeon from another area to make a referral to a patients local hospital. He told me not to worry and apologised for what had happened (not his fault at all). He is arranging for an urgent appointment with the orthotics department at the NHS hospital in his area. He knows I have to drive there again but at least I will have a proper brace fitted, which hopefully will help alleviate the pain in the knee and aid me in recovering fully after the THR.

He confirmed what his suspicions were that I had arthritis in the knee. He wants me to have the new brace fitted and then come back and see him a few weeks after so he can see how I am getting on. Then he will make a decision on whether to operate to shave some bone off the knee. He's annoyed because he wants me fully functional and mobile before he does the other hip. He feels sorry for me having to travel through to see him all the time but to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way, he is a fantastic surgeon and he has supported me fully since the THR.

I'm not allowed back to work full-time for the forseeable future, he wants me to carry on doing 6 hours a day until I see him again in about 4-5 weeks, it will be a fun meeting with HR tomorrow morning :lol: He was pleased to hear that I had gone back to work and that I'm getting back to normality. He also wants me to carry on with my physio for the time being as well.

That's it for now, just to keep going as I have done and wait to see him in a few weeks.

Sarah x

Comments

  • Slosh
    Slosh Member Posts: 3,194
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good to hear that your consultant is on your side and and is going to push to make dure you get what you need.
    In terms of reduced hours you have dome way to go to beat me. I was on reduced hours from last May until mid January when I was sent home on health and safety grounds. Now on sick leave and when I do back have another month on reduced hours before I'm allowed back to normal hours. It is good though as a way of managing work which is important psychologically as well as signalling to others that we have a significant problem.
    Hope all goes well.
    He did not say you will not be storm tossed, you will not be sore distressed, you will not be work weary. He said you will not be overcome.
    Julian of Norwich
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Slosh,

    I am so lucky to have him as my surgeon. He has been fantastic since I was first referred to him last year. It's taking some getting used to with the reduced hours, but as the surgeon said, "it's great you are back at work but not to overdo it at the moment". My knee and full recovery after the THR are my main priorities and if I have to work less hours for a while i have to accept it and get on with it :)

    When do you hope to go back to work? Hope I don't sound intrusive but do you have OA or RA or both??

    Sarah x
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Sarah
    Its lovely when you have faith in your surgeon , but the NHS does not talk to one another other wise there wouldn't be this prob..crackers :roll: I hope you get the brace very soon then you can begin to move on, my hubby had bone shaved off his knee and a wash out ..and touch wood it has been good for many years... :) x
    Love
    Barbara
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara,

    I hope you are well :)

    It's true about the NHS, especially with what he was telling me. Good to hear that your hubby has been good for many years after having bone shaved off his knee. Will let you know how I get on with the new brace when I get it :)

    Take care
    Sarah x
  • jul
    jul Member Posts: 40
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sarah

    What an ordeal you have gone through. Its awful, thank goodness you have a decent surgeon and someone who cares and is doing a great job under the circumstances.
    I wish you well.
    Jul
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jul,

    I feel so lucky to have him and I am glad he will be around to do the THR on the other hip, hopefully I won't have too many problems with that one :lol:

    Sarah x