New diagnosis

RonnieDex

About a year ago I had xrays done on my knees and hips. They showed severe deterioration in both hips and left knee and moderate in my right knee, My doctor said he would refer me on. I have been given exercises by physio and I now have an appointment in March with Orthopaedic Outpatients at my local hospital. What can I expect to happen from here on please?

Chris_R

Hi @RonnieDex

Welcome to the online community,great you have found us.You say that after exercises and physio you have now got an appointment for the Orthopaedic outpatients and you would like to know where you go from here

Here are a few links hopefully they will help

https://www.versusarthritis.org/.

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/9229/orthopaedic-consultant-appointment

Hope this helps. When you go to your appointment your consultant will tell you what is going to happen and when you are likely to get treatment and how it will progress.

All the best please keep in touch and tell us how you get on and do go onto our forums it often helps to talk it through with others that have been there already.

Christine

helpline_team

Hi@RonnieDex

If the word 'degeneration' has been mentioned, or if your arthritis was diagnosed by an x-ray then it's probably osteoarthritis (OA), but ask the GP if you are unsure.

OA responds to self-management, keeping moving (and specific daily physio exercises) and healthy eating to keep weight down. The orthopaedic team will want to see that your self-management is working as well as possible. If you need surgery at some stage it will be more successful if your muscles are in good condition.

Some people's need for surgery can be put off for many years if their self-management is going well, and muscles being in good condition can help to improve pain and daily quality of life.

When you see the MSK or Orthopaedic team, they may take a fresh image of the affected joint, examine you, watch how you move and listen to you and discuss treatment options.

Invasive treatments have some small risks, so the idea is to consider less invasive options first, but specialists don't want to leave a situation if a joint is deteriorating - so that's something to listen out for. Any decisions involve what you the person with arthritis wants. Nothing will happen unless you have decided.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee | Knee pain | Versus Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip | Hip pain | Versus Arthritis

If you'd like to talk about your forthcoming appointment and how to make the best use of it, why not ring us here on our freephone and we can go over things in more detail, our number is 0800 5200 520

All the best

Guy - Helpline Team