NHS and Physio after op

[Deleted User]

Hi. I've just come back from a class in the hospital (South Wales) about how to be prepared for surgery. I'm shocked that the nurses running the course said we will not need physiotherapy after getting out from the hospital, just doing the recommended exercises would be enough. Whaaat? I had my other leg done in January (private) and I think a physiotherapist is one the most important parts of the recovery. Is this normal? Did I misunderstood them? Thanks

claudsl

Hi @Nurina

Which surgery is it you are having done? Is it a knee replacement?

Thanks, Claudia :)

[Deleted User]

It's a hip replacement @claudsl

Trish9556

Hi @Nurina

I cannot believe that! I think it is absolutely disgusting that you are not being provided with physio services post hip replacement!! We all know how important they are in post op recovery, especially for joint replacements.

If I were you I would write a formal letter of complaint to the hospital and copy in your health authority, MP and the Health Authority.

You have already had one hip replacement so know what to expect but not to get any physio is beyond belief.

Good luck

Trish xx

[Deleted User]

@Trish9556 I'll have a visit to my consultant next week and I'll talk about this. I know that NHS can give the same support than a private hospital, obviously, but this is not acceptable. Thanks

claudsl

Hello @Nurina

Yes I agree with the above post from Trish. You should definitely be offered physio to get the best possible results from your operation. I would make further enquiries or as Trish said, write a formal letter.

Best of luck. Claudia

stickywicket

You should be given exercises post op. Mr SW had both his THRs in the last 8 years, one NHS and one private. Neither hospital offered a post op physio appt. but he did his exercises conscientiously and has had two perfect outcomes.

[Deleted User]

I meant "I know that NHS CAN'T give the same support than a private hospital, obviously, but this is not acceptable" Sorry. I can't write well on the mini screen of my phone.

[Deleted User]

Thanks @stickywicket Thanks to my other THR I know what exercises I have to do, but my osteoarthritis has been severe for too many years and it is not due to the normal wear and tear. If they don't give me a referral for a physio, I'll go to a private one. Take care

Janlyn

@Nurina I'm so disappointed to read this and agree we all definitely need physio to make as full a recovery as possible. We are all different and although we may start with the same exercises a physio can see where our problems are and tailor ongoing exercises to enable a full recovery. Anything less can be storing up problems for the future. I'm so glad you will get physio one way or another.

A friend came to see me recently who had a hip replacement many years ago. He hadn't had physio and I noticed he really wasn't walking properly and even going up and down stairs as we all did post-op. It was so sad to see him and realise that I'd made more progress in months than he had in years.

Hopefully not long for you now 😊

[Deleted User]

@Janlyn I totally agree. I'll tell you what my consultant thinks about this. X

250

It seems the way with Hip replacement (Post 9 weeks now) especially around here you get an exercise sheet and sent home yet, if I had a Knee replacement they give you inhouse physio at the hospital for a time afterwards. I was told the best thing was get up and walk so I have.

Mark

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726400#Comment_726400

We are lucky in that we have had hip replacements before but we have all had the uncertainty that we are doing things too soon or not right.

My concern would be that by sending all their the patients home with just a sheet and not proper support, many patients will end up doing more damage post op than they had pre op resulting in more work for the NHS. We all need that vital support in the early days post op, even if it's just a phone number we can ring for support but just a sheet? In my opinion that's ridiculous. All surgeries are different and I couldn't have coped with just a sheet and wouldn't when my other hip eventually gives up.

As @stickywicket says, her husband managed his recovery with just a sheet but many people would be scared and unable to cope and manage their recovery. We have all seen their posts on here where they're doing things too quickly!

I would be interested to hear how you get on.

Love n hugs

Trish xc

250

Obviously, when I said sent home with an exercise sheet, I did had the contact details for in an emergency, concerns excess pain etc. Also had a face to face follow up with the consultant booked at 6 weeks, but no NHS physio appointments as standard.

Mark.

KC1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726412#Comment_726412

hi @Nurina i’m really surprised you’re being told there won’t be any physio post op. You could self refer to physio, I’ve done that previously, and that’s worked well - although not had to do that following my op.

[Deleted User]

Update. A friend of mine had her surgery last week. They told her she didn't need a physio. She asked for a referral anyway and her first appointment will be in 8 weeks! The consultant has recommended her to book a private physiotherapist. What's going on? My GP recommended me to go private for my first surgery. Now we don't have physiotherapy. What will be next? An Aliexpress DIY hip replacement kit with a prosthesis and a see saw?

Trish9556

Hi @Nurina

I think it is totally disgusting and inappropriate to be told that yes, you're having your hip surgery in an NHS hospital but you're not getting any follow up physio appointments unless you go private! If I was in that position I would be telling them I've already contributed and paid for it many times over in my Tax and NI contributions. The way we are being treated is wrong. I can see that the next thing to go down the pain is free prescriptions for those eligible for them and pensioners. I would have to come off of all mine if that happened as I wouldn't be able to afford them.

Love n hugs

Trishx x

Moira

I have found the physios here in S Wales brilliant but you don't need them for everything if you do the exercises on the sheet you will get post-op. You will have a phone number if there is any problem. My friend across the oroad had a hip done at UCH Cardiff and did the exercises on the sheet and is now walking better than me!

With hips moderate exercise and weight baring are what is needed. Knees are much more complex. The physio dept at UCH in Cardiff is understaffed - as is the story in many depts.

I have been waiting nearly 2 years for hand surgery at Llandough. Apparently there aren't enough hand surgeons to keep up. However I do my exercises from the OT and that helps a bit.

Check here on the Versus Arthritis website too for advice re post-operative exercises.

barbaraw

I had hip replacement 11 weeks ago I was only seen by physio once and she didn’t do any exercises with me just asked to walk in front of her and discharged me no further physio offered to me I feel I would have benefited with more as a 77 yr old

noddingtonpete

Hi @barbaraw and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I hope your recovery is going well despite lack of physio involvement We have some exercise videos which might help, see the link below.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-for-surgery-toolkit/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

[Deleted User]

After my surgery, I was offered a NHS Physiotherapist in the other side of my city ( @Moira I was sent to the Royal Infirmary) and I couldn't drive until 6th week. I did the exercises at home. Anyway, the point of this surgery is to be painless with basic mobility and for that, we don't really need a physio but we are all different. My muscles have been working very badly for a long time and I really need more help than two photocopies with generic exercises. I'm currently going to a private physio who is helping me to recover the strength of my muscles. I'm in pain, but it'll be worth.

Fran54

@barbaraw

I think it depends where you live if you get post op. physio as several people on here have been given it and some none, just been given sheets with exercises to do when discharged. Perhaps you could enquire back at the hospital/department or even your Doctor's, as sometimes they have a physiotherapist on site. As mentioned by @Peter on here there are some useful exercise videos on here. I have looked at some of them and they seem quite good. 🙂

Janlyn

@barbaraw - I agree you really need physio to reach your full potential. If you can ask your GP or pay for physio I feel sure it would help. The exercises and videos on this site are really good too. The hospital physios seem to want to know you can walk safely and properly but to get proper strength and flexibility back takes more work.

Take care.