Consultant Appointments

Airwave!

After having OA most of my life I have just been referred to a orthopaedic consultant, I having been wondering why it took so many years to get a referral and then a warning of 'don't be surprised if you get refused', what on earth is going on? Too many R's in the month, too ugly to get an appointment, appointments stop at 60?

stickywicket

What? A handsome young dude like you too ugly for an appointment

No. I think the clue is in the word 'surgeon', Airwave. Surgeons remove bits of us. If we get lucky they sometimes put other bits in instead but not always.

I can only guess that, until now, it's been felt that, however painful bits were, you were better off with them than without them. I hope that's not the case and that the surgeon can make your life easier.

Airwave!

Its about my spine, a number of the joints have 'significant' wear and are causing problems.

stickywicket

Worth getting an expert opinion. I think hips and knees are simpler things but there are people on here who have had spinal surgery and I hope they see your thread and answer. Of course, even if the guy thinks surgery would be a good option you don't have to go ahead. He might want to try physio first anyway. Good luck with it, Airwave.

dreamdaisy

In my experience referrals happen when a certain level of damage has been reached: until that point there is nothing to pique the curiosity of a surgeon. The spine is in a league of its own when it comes to surgical fettling and tinkering, other joints are far easier to access and manhandle without the risk of causing further and different damage . . . .

Let us know when the appointment is and then how you get on, OK? DD