Cancelled operation

Dave64

Hello, this is the first time I have posted and I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with an operation being cancelled.

I have severe osteoarthritis in both hips and have been waiting for them to be replaced for nearly 18 months. Just over two weeks ago I attended my second pre-operative assessment (the first was back in January) where I was told my first operation would be on the 12 October. Great I thought. I was even called the next day and told they could now do it on the 5 October. Even better. In the intervening time I had an appointment with the consultant (the first for well over a year) and went for a PCR test, alongside arranging things at home and at work (handing over my projects to a colleague).

Then there was the call on the afternoon before the scheduled operation saying that they had been told by management to cancel it due to other pressures. This hit me much harder than I thought and three days later I still haven’t got over it. I was told that for various reasons they couldn’t rearrange it until the 26 October and at the moment this is still only provisional. I have asked for the exact reason for the cancellation, but haven’t heard anything yet.

I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem with your operation being cancelled and how you dealt with it and how you were dealt with by the hospital. I don’t think they appreciate the mental anguish late cancellations have as well as all things that I put in place for the operation that now have to be rearranged.

I get the impression that elective orthopaedic operations are very low on any hospitals priority and they are the first to be cancelled if there are pressures from elsewhere. With winter fast approaching and the pressures that brings for hospitals I can see my next date being cancelled as well.

Sorry for being so pessimistic, but that’s how I feel at the moment

Chris_R

Hi @Dave64

Welcome to the online community,its good you are posting.

You are not pessimistic you just want something done to release you from pain and discomfort any one would.

Unfortunatly operations are cancelled as they are not considered and emergency as accidents and life threating deseases have priority always have. That is not to say your operation is unecessary because you obviously do need it as you have been reccomended and put on the elective surgery list for one.

It however doesnot ease your pain and discomfort you are suffering at the moment. I do hope you have your operation on the date they say and everything will be alright.

It often helps to chat to others who have gone through what you are going through at the moment, that is what our forums are designed for as we all have forms of arthritis and have waited for operations some longer than others,i myself have had both knees and a hip op waited aswell for the date and longing like you it wasnt cancelled.

Here is a link that may help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/april/ways-to-manage-your-pain-while-waiting-for-surgery/

Hope all goes well for you please keep in touch and chat to others.

All the best Christine

MartinD

Hi Dave, had exactly the same experience yesterday.Had a letter informing me that I would have surgery for my TKR on 10/9/22.Had meeting with consultant yesterday ,who informed me that it will still be 2/3 months.Im in significant pain and disability now,and my mantra was get through to October.Now just feels like the rug has been pulled beneath my feat !!! Just devastated and so upset.You have my sympathises.Agree with you ,elective orthopaedic surgery feels very low priority

stickywicket

I'm sorry for both of you. I've fortunately never had surgery cancelled but, many years ago, I kept having appointments postponed because of bank holidays. I found the breast lump in early January and finally had it removed in May. Completely successfully.

I guess one trouble with orthopaedics is it takes a lot of theatre time, physio time and, potentially, HDU time. (I once had to be carted back there post op when my BP sank.) Plus, docs, nurses, physios, OTs all get sick too. We haven't had enough for years.

I hope you both get your ops soon and they are as successful as all mine. Meanwhile carry on with the exercises. They will speed up your recovery.