Can Anyone Help

Trayguy
Trayguy Member Posts: 38
edited 17. Mar 2014, 16:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
A bit of a long shot - but I will ask.
I have got osteoarthritis in both of my knees and have been told I need two knee replacements. My problem is my specialist will not do anything for me as he says I have to wait until I am 60 (unless I will pay private and he said he would do it next week!!!!). I am nearly 51 so quite a long time to go. The last time I saw him he said I wont help you but someone might - so my question is - has anyone seen a specialist in Lancashire who has done a TKR to anyone under 60. If I have a name then I can ask to be referred to them instead.

Hopefully someone can help me.

Tracey

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know it's a regular plaint on here that people have to wait for replacement joints but 10 years is a long time to be waiting if you've been told they're already shot. In fact it sounds contradictory. A second opinion might be a good way to go but do your research. Don't just go for any surgeon with a shorter waiting time. Ask why. Some surgeons and hospitals are better than others. Just because a surgeon has operaed on one younger patient doesn't mean they'll do it routinely. Why not see your GP as a first port of call? He/she might be able to throw some light on both the local situation and why your current surgeon is taking that attitude.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree with sticky , talk to your GP & ask if you can be refered for second opinion , they should be the best ones knowing how get the help you need
  • Fionabee
    Fionabee Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tracey
    I'm almost 53 and had my right knee replaced 5 weeks (& 3 days!) ago.
    I think posibly I have been fortunate living somewhere with a specialist centre & i was already on the books having had a back op there.
    I have been seeing a doc in the pain clinic about my back, realised on one of my recent meetings, spent more time talking about my knees. I had already been seen several yrs prev, had had steroid injections in both, they had said something along the lines of "you'll need them replacing at some point". Well I was on the point of asking my GP to refer me, but the Doc in the pain clinic said he could do it for me, he knew one of the consultants was sympathetic towards younger patients. Well he was terrific, his attitude was, if my quality of life was affected now (and it was, I spent my time pottering, couldnt walk or stand for any lenghth of time, hobbled round in morning, struggled up stairs at end of day, BUT i wasn't yet crippled by it) we discusses it at some length, he then looked at the x rays with me and said that basically by knees were (rude word, can't use here) "shot", altho that alone wasn't good enough reason alone, only when combined with my symptoms, he was prepared to replace my right knee which is worst.
    In my usual longwinded way, I'm saying you need to find someone who is sympathetic to the needs of younger patients. Could your GP help? Could you find out who the Knee consultants are and approach them directly?
    Could you travel? I was seen twice by their community team and discharged and have a 6 week check up next week.
    There other treatments to consider first, have you had anything else done yet. Dicfenac used to really help me, but eventually wore off.
    I hope you find someone who can help you with a sympathetic outlook. My recovery has been uneventful (but not without difficulties!!) compared with an older lady I was done with, we have kept in touch
    Good luck.
    Fiona
  • Trayguy
    Trayguy Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Thanks for the replies.

    Fiona I have tried almost everything apart from a new knee. I have had injections for the last 3 years but have been told my right knee is now too bad to inject anymore. I have tried many painkillers but most turn me into a zombie - not good at work.

    I will take all of your advice and go back to my gp and see if he has mellowed a bit since last time I saw him. He told me to learn to manage the pain and learn to live with it. Like to see him put up with it! All I get is the NHS has no money. I have paid into it all of my life so time to get something back I think.

    Will make an appointment now.

    Cheers

    Tracey
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Tracy
    There are quite a few people had knee and hip ops under the age of 60. you can see the surgeons point of view they want to have to do another one in the near future..
    You say you are in Lancashire the hospital I had my hip done is one of excellence and people come from far and wide to it and I am sure you are not that far away
    I will PM you. x
    Love
    Barbara
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm bumping this as a member couldnt find it.xxx
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • Helenbothknees
    Helenbothknees Member Posts: 487
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Tracey,

    You need to see someone else. When in a similar situation (but aged 63) I asked my usual GP about knee replacements. He said, "You're not bad enough yet". When I asked how bad I had to be, he didn't answer.

    Next time I saw another GP, and told her I was really desperate, as it hurt to walk at all and the painkillers weren't working. She asked me how far I could walk. I said not far at all, and not at all without pain. Could you, she asked, walk to the leisure centre next door? I told her I could if I absolutely had to, but I'd be in no state to do anything for the rest of the day. Well, I don't know what she wrote in my notes, but after that I had everyone on my side (including the first GP), got an appointment with a specialist who said my knees were shot, and had both done together very soon afterwards - I got a cancellation.

    My main point is: keep asking, keep trying, see different people, make a fuss and tell them you can't go on any longer, do whatever it takes! Other people aren't inside you to know how you're feeling, and both GPs and specialists vary in their response to patients.

    Good luck!
  • Trayguy
    Trayguy Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Thanks to everyone that replied.

    I took your advice and I went back to the doctors today and managed to get a doctor who would listen to me.

    He has agreed to refer me to another specialist in a totally different area so fingers crossed there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

    Regards

    Tracey
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I do hope so, Trayguy and thanks for the update.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Trayguy
    Trayguy Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Just thought I would update you.

    I went to the specialist today and what a difference.

    He is going to operate on my left knee as soon as possible to help ease the pain and has agreed to do a knee replacement on my right knee - just have to lose a bit of weight first and then he will do it. I cant ask for anything more than that.

    It just shows don't just accept what one specialist tells you - keep asking. The man I saw today was disgusted by how I had been treated.

    Once again thanks to everyone who replied to me.

    Tracey
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am pleased for you, that is good news but I find a contradiction on the weight-front: he will do the left knee ASAP but you have to lose weight for the right? :? Hopefully the op on the left will help to alleviate the strain on the right and I hope it happens soon. Good luck! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben