GP or Orthopaedic Consultant?

Megrose489

I'm still under the orthopaedic consultant for right-sided hip bursitis and waiting for a physiotherapy appointment. I probably won't see the consultant again until about December - I don't have an appointment. Even though I've had two steroid injections now for the hip bursitis, I'm still in pain down my right leg - the whole area is very tender. The left hip has now decided to become worse and I'm in pain from that, too. As well as the pain from the bursitis, my hips have stiffened up - difficult to get up from sitting - and the OA in my right foot and knees is also stiff and painful. Even my hands hurt! I've got an appointment to see my GP on Tuesday, principally about my foot, but am now wondering what the protocol is. As I'm still under the consultant, should I be seeing him? Maybe ringing his secretary? Or will the GP be able to communicate with the consultant if he thinks I should see him earlier? I'd appreciate your advice.

stickywicket

A tricky one :roll: if it were me I'd talk it all over with my GP first as they are there and you don't have a long, long wait to see them. Depending on how your surgery works, you might not have the opportunity to do it at the already-booked appointment though it might be worth ringing the secretary and asking. Sometimes, more than one problem requires a double appointment.

There is no protocol for pain. If you're in a lot, don't wait until December. Your GP can prescribe more pain relief and advise on whether to try to expedite the consultant's appointment or not. He might do it himself or tell you to ring.

As we all know, the extra pain might be OA elsewhere or just referred from your hip. Pain is pain is pain wherever it comes from and it hurts :roll: Your GP might offer physio though, in the current economic climate, if GPs can get the consultants to foot the bill and vice versa, they will.

My plan would be to talk it over with the GP. If he can help - good. If not, decide which of you will try to bring forward the consultant's appointment. Good luck, megrose.

dreamdaisy

For what it's worth I think the GP first (and hopefully you can have a double appointment because there is a lot to be covered) and maybe he can then expedite a referral to the ortho? DD

Megrose489

Thank you Sticky and DD. I've managed to book another appointment, online, with the GP tomorrow morning - there must have been a cancellation. So, I should be able to talk to him about the bursitis tomorrow and then see him on Tuesday about the OA in my foot. They are very particular about only discussing one thing at a time, which is sensible, I suppose, given that you only have 10 minutes and double appointments are few and far between. I'll definitely ask about further pain relief, as the paracetamol is not doing very much at all. Thanks again for your advice.

Meg

theresak

As others have said, I think the best thing is to talk it over first with your GP - he can certainly contact a consultant for you : my GP has done this for me.

Reading about protocols & double appointments makes me really appreciate our GP, whose consultations take as long as it takes. Ours is a very small practice - single doctor plus one part-timer, so no bother getting an appointment.

Sorry, off topic - I hope you get sorted Meg, hip bursitis is horribly painful.

barbara12

Hello Meg
I am sorry you are suffering like this, in the past my GP has rang my consultant for me...and I have rang the secretary, who I find to be very helpful ..especially if you start the conversation with I am sorry to bother you but...they really have been brilliant...good luck with whatever you decide..x

stickywicket

Good luck with the appointment, megrose. Do let's know how you get on.

dreamdaisy

Sticky beat me to it! I hope it goes as well as possible. DD

Megrose489

Quite pleased with the way it went this morning. I should have a physiotherapy appointment in a fortnight. There was a new computer at the appointment department when I rang and, as they weren't au fait with the new system, they couldn't give me an actual date, so I'm to expect a letter!

The GP listened and was quite happy to see me, even though I was still under the consultant. He's given me Ibuprofen to try, plus a stomach protector. I didn't get on very well with Naproxen, so here's hoping this will be better. He said it was milder. He said that if things don't improve after the physiotherapy then the consultant will probably look more closely at my hips. Some people respond well to treatment for bursitis, but some don't! Mm...

He then looked at my foot (I was able to cancel tomorrow's appointment ) read through the x-ray report from a couple of years ago, then pressed very hard on the top of my foot where there's an overgrowth of bone :shock: He's hoping that the anti-inflammatory will help with this, too, but I'm to go back to him if I still have problems and he'll give me a steroid injection. We then talked about how having pain in my hips means I'm walking differently to stop things hurting and so this affects my arthritic knees and foot.

So, on the whole, I feel quite positive. He listened, understood what I was saying and was very nice. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Ibuprofen and physiotherapy will make all the difference. Thank you very much for all your support.

barbara12

Hello Meg
Doesn't it make a difference when you are given time and they really listen..so glad it went well for you ..and I hope the appointment comes soon x

dreamdaisy

That sounds to be a good, comprehensive and hopefully positive appointment - here's to the new meds and physio helping matters. Good luck with the new regime! DD

stickywicket

Oh good Both appointments 'sorted' in one go and, with luck, the meds and physio will help. You also have 'Plan B' for the foot so I think that was time well spent. Your doc sounds good