Are GP’s out of touch ???

I had a phone consultation with a GP from my surgery this morning to discuss some X-ray results. He used the term ‘wear and tear arthritis’ I didn’t think this term was used anymore to describe Osteoarthritis???

Does anyone else feel that some GP’s are out of touch with arthritis, a condition which effects so many people!!?

My rheumatologist has already confirmed an inflammatory arthritis from blood test results, which included a positive RF and positive ANA with a titre of 1/400

Comments

  • Elmbow
    Elmbow Member Posts: 80

    Why not; that's what it is. It's caused by wearing out the joint through use or damage through injury. Not everyone will understand the term "osteoarthritis" or how it differs from other types. It's just a descriptive term. I wouldn't read too much into it.

  • SharonH61
    SharonH61 Member Posts: 6

    I was being guided by the information on this website. The section on Oseoarthritis - Causes, does actually begin by saying - ‘It’s still not clear exactly what causes osteoarthritis. We do know it isn’t simply ‘wear and tear’ and that your risk of developing osteoarthritis depends on a number of factors:’

    To be fair my question isn’t prompted by the use of just that one term, I have had other experiences which have lead to me asking this question whilst seeking some clarification.

  • Yes I think some are but not all !

    one G.P called me back and said no no u don’t need naproxen take co codomol it’s wear and tear u can’t do anything about it !

    Diagnosed with PsA if I hadn’t have pushed and went with my gut feelings I wouldn’t have seen a rhumatologist or had MRI scans and would probs end up with deformed joints if I had took what she said as correct !

    Different dr took on board all my symptoms including the skin ones and joint pain and she thought it highly likely PsA

    so go with your own instincts not all drs are correct x

  • VMM
    VMM Member Posts: 4

    What is PsA?

  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579

    It’s unfair to say GPS are out of touch, what makes you think they were ever ‘in touch’. I jest but there is no one statement that can be taken on its own, yes OA can be caused by wear and tear but why have I had it since I was younger? It’s not logical is it?

    it’s a grin, honest!

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    I think with drs arthritis is a perception of well it’s age and climate unfair but true, like fibromyalgia was a term some used when they don’t know what’s wrong some do treat it as a condition others see it as a label in America they now know it’s ME or CPS

    like the old saying goes walk a mile in my shoes then tell me how it is, attitudes towards arthritis needs to change it’s not a choice anyone would pick but when they use the term wear and tear it’s annoying my sister is 68 she’s in a nursing home with vascular dementia worked all her life again is that wear and tear makes ya think eh, like depression I would think after all this with covid there will be a lot of people feeling depressed do we label that wear and tear of a pandemic?

    Arthritis is arthritis whether minor or major it’s painful and life changing and we need to be treated with respect and understanding not dismissed with oh it’s wear and tear

  • Mike1
    Mike1 Member Posts: 1,992

    I do not believe that GPs are out of date but one must remember that they are General Practitioners, i.e. they have a general knowledge about all health issues, the trick is being able to determine when to refer to a specialist. In addition, as with all walks of life, some are better than others.

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    I don’t believe they are either but there is experience of arthritis and a perception of it , operable or non operable I would say Mike your a specialist as you have experience of it 😊

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,740

    My lovely GP initially said "wear and tear" (even my physio used that term) when I complained of random but persistent pains in my leg and reduced mobility in the hip joint, which I was noticing particularly in yoga and pilates. It felt like there was a physical obstruction to opening my hip joint to the side. My physio suggested an xray would show us what was happening, but my doc said "no" on the basis that they wouldn't be recommending any treatment anyway if it was "just wear and tear" It was only after I had a (gentle) tumble onto my rear end about 6 months later and ended up in terrible pain and very little mobility after a few weeks that my doc reassessed me and said "yes, it's time for an xray now", which found such severe OA that I was instantly put on the list for a new hip and they doubled my pain killers to pretty much full strength of everything. It's been downhill since then, no new hip due to the pandemic, so still waiting a year later and hobbling around on a stick.

    In my case I think the doc was only prepared to escalate the diagnosis and treatement based on its effect on my mobility, pain levels and daily life. If you're getting by as you are on a few over-the-counter pain killers, you're still a low priority and they let things take their course until action is needed. It's still annoying having arthritis brushed aside under the rather belittling term "wear and tear" though.

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    Hi Lilymary,

    that’s the point I’m trying to make they should not class it as wear and tear in their opinion I know drs are qualified to make an initial consultation but I’ve always gone on the theory where there is pain there’s a problem nearly everyone knows when something isn’t right with their bodies.

    I hope you get your hip op soon I refused to get things brushed aside so then I was classed as a problem and now get the eye rolling when I’m seen or some snotty comment but I’m not a medical person I’m just very annoying 😊

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,740

    Hi @Jona , I suspect they see “wear and tear” as the precursor to treatable arthritis, it’s a matter of degree. My hip was occasionally sore after a really hard day’s walking over 15 years or so, so I guess that was the name they’d have given it then. It only really kicked off 12 months ago, it had been slowly dropping to bits without me realising, but in the year leading up to that I’d noticed hugely reduced mobility. It’s hard to know where they draw the line between wear and tear and full on arthritis.

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    Hi lilymary,

    I get annoyed when it’s dismissed as wear and tear like it’s expected, I’m sorry if I sound bolshy but it’s like being told your a little bit pregnant

    love Jona 😊

  • My oa is sporting abuse don't run marathons and don't do extreme sports oh and don't get put through car windscreens at high speed while on your push bike to work...

    Our gp is very good but in a nutshell he is right wear and tear they try to keep it simply in their terms...

    I had something the same in a medical report to my firm they used medically guarded which the Dr said i can't say your bodys knackered...

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    Thank you remmingtonwildhunter,

    Its taken me a long time to accept but it is about time drs stopped using that term wear and tear dismisses it as something that is accepted and minor, there is nothing minor in constant pain and I suppose if they use the term wear and tear as it dismisses it, it can’t say your getting old as that is now ageist 😉

    I was raised to say it as it is and not be afraid and our bodies wearing out doesn’t seem to matter to the govt

    but thank you for saying it as it is 😊


    jona

  • My experience is that some GP's are out of touch but some just can't be bothered or aren't listening properly. I go back 11 years to a previous illness, I was told several times there was nothing wrong with me, no tests were done I was just tired apparently, I just needed a rest.

    Then a trainee GP started in my practice, the firt time I saw her she told me she felt something was wrong, she arranged tests which led to more tests ending up (after seeing 4 specialists) with a diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis, then the rheumatologist told me he felt i didn't have that but that I had fibromyalgia which was the final diagnosis. I had struggled for over a year, sometimes felt like I was a hypochondriac or even going mad until that trainee GP turned up.

    I feel now that when you are certain something is wrong, you need to keep asking questiions, keep pushing or otherwise you'll get fobbed off. It's not just arthritis, I mean generally.

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    Hi 5yearsandcounting,

    im so sorry you sound like you’ve had a nightmare like I have, I paid to see a private rheumatologist he wanted to start me on hydroxyicloriqiune my gp wouldn’t monitor me on it, he retired and I went back to the nhs rheumatologist he shouted at me to go back to my private rheumatologist so I got annoyed stood up and left I’m afraid I had no money to go anywhere else I made a complaint against the way I was treated and tbh I was penalised for walking out I knew there was something wrong so kept going back only to be told by a trainee gp that “oh your a serial attender” again I told him he was an arrogant idiot and that’s not the way to speak to a patient that’s coming to them for help again I tried to continue working and trying to get on with things but had to go back to my gp again following an infection he was amazing and followed through he was annoyed at how I had been treated but alas he’s now moved on and am back to square one saw the nurse practitioner 2 days ago with another infection and now it seems high blood pressure as well as arthritis in near every bone

    Maybe I’m out of touch but you see a medical professional for help if I go to the garage and say my car is sluggish they check it over and say unable to find anything wrong then a week later your check engine light is on and your car breaks down lessons learned I guess but hope you see my point I drive a second hand Ford Fiesta not a bmw guess that’s the way I feel don’t judge a book by it’s cover we all have value

    take care

    love Jona

  • Sasha
    Sasha Member Posts: 8

    Just wanted to add my two pennies worth 😁

    All medical professionals are meant to keep themselves updated with the most current “evidence based” practices.

    I would imagine this is difficult sometimes due to the amount of updates, changes and demands on them. Especially in the current climate.

    Saying that some medical types are just rubbish in my experience and you do need to keep on at them. Some are old school with their terminology and some are new and fresh.

    I recommend the student GPs as they are fully trained Drs with experience or the Advanced Practitioners who are experienced paramedics and nurses who do extra training, so you know they want to be there.

    I think with any condition a specialist is always your best bet, however, it’s getting that referral in the first place that’s difficult and frustrating.

    As for wear and tear, I was told this at the age of 42 which was daft and the Rheumatologist OT advised it was actually due to a huge family history (thanks fam) & having had a full ladies operation at 40.

    I’m a medical professional and it’s very frustrating both professionally and personally communicating with GP surgery’s. I find telling them politely what I want rather than what they think I need helps.

    Best of luck everyone and stay safe 😊

  • Jona
    Jona Member Posts: 406

    Hi Sasha,

    Thank you for your input, I have been both polite and very respectful of all medical professionals after all I’ve worked in the industry for over 40 years and fully understand the constraints the govt put on them and I blame the govt not the doctors plus they’re rather large workload.

    The biggest problem I find is I am not listened too when faced with a gp or consultant I’m asked “what do you think it could be” if I knew that I wouldn’t be there but when I say what I think it may be it’s dismissed.


    My body told me something is wrong and some, not all, say mmmm or oh ok well let’s have a look shall we should be let’s test I would have thought, my bloods are mostly abnormal mostly inflammation but am told they’re ok ? Yes gps are only human but so are we and I ask for help not demand they do something but sometimes I’m not treated with respect just eye rolling or large sighs and when I’m feeling ill it’s all rather upsetting

    I’m now awaiting surgery, have to see a skin specialist to do a biopsy to see if it’s sinister you see I’m not depressed or mad I listened to my body and a nurse practitioner listened to me and tbh dealing with this amount of arthritis isn’t easy either it’s not in my head X-rays support it whether minor or major it’s arthritis and it hurts you see I know I’m getting older and it’s expected my body is wearing out but it’s quality of life that matters

    take care

    Jona