Parking - Blue Badge

So not too dissimilar in age to me (I'm 56) @in2teaching. Apologies for the LONNNNNG post but hope some of what follows might help.

I was diagnosed with moderate OA in both knees about 18 months ago and since then it's continued to deteriorate to the point where I now have zero cartilage left. I was referred to MSK for an upto date assessment in April this year and was originally told the only course of treatment now open to me was surgery. Owing to my age and the fact I was (and am) managing my condition well enough to lead a very active life, it would not be consideration.

I complained that it shouldn't take for me to be virtually paralysed before further intervention would be taken - I was following all the advice to manage my condition (and then some), so I wanted the NHS to do its bit and step up. The Consultant stuck to his guns so I phoned back, complained and said I wanted a second opinion. I spoke to someone else who agreed with me, she said with so many active years ahead of me and as someone who is sporty and active, the argument to delay didn't apply. She pointed out the potential limited life of implants so I'll ensure longevity by only indulging in low impact sport as I now do. 1 week later I'd been referred to meet with an Orthopaedic Surgeon at a private hospital in Oxfordshire and he ordered an MRI in less than 10 days. After looking at the results he announced I'd need a double TKR - I'm having the 1st one this Thursday.

The point of all this is A: health professionals are people with individual opinions and there is no hard and fast rule or best practice they follow, it can be discretionary B: If you think they're being unreasonable, complain or seek a second opinion C: getting the result you want may take using the right sort of language which ticks a box, such as "I'm finding it very hard to cope and take care of myself" and "I am someone who needs to br active, this is having a huge impact on my ability to work and my mental state".

As you cannot taek conventional meds for managing your condition have you investigated natural alternatives? I've found great success with Capsicum and Peperine capsules and Boswellia capsules for managing inflammation. Full Spectrum Hemp capsules are good natural painkillers. FleixSeq gel helps lubricate weakened joints, reducing crunching, grinding and clicking. 5KIND Hemp Gel is good for "numbing" painful areas. I use a TENS machine if I've overdone it hiking or cycling and a deep tissue massaging gun combined with heated wheatbags help reduce stiffness.

Finally, it's great you're enrolling into the Nuffield Health Programme, it's highly regarded but has fairly lengthy waiting lists mainly owing to the duration. Another option potentially open to you if you can't get in or the wait is lengthy is the GP Exercise Referral Programme. That'll get you a 1:1 assessment with a Sports specialist at your local council run sports centre who will help proescribe exercises to do in the gym to suit, you'll also get a discount off annual membership. I have found it a great help, particularly with targeted weight training to build strngth in my knees ahead of surgery.

Hope some of these help,

jon

Hello @TiredTruro

I am hi-jacking this post to welcome you to our online forum. We are a friendly group and will always try and help each other with support and information. I think it is surprising how often you read a post and think you might have written it yourself! Thank you for taking the trouble to reply on this topic, and do remember we are always here to help if you ever want to ask for help.

Best wishes

Caryl

Hiya @in2teaching,

Thanks for remembering and for asking. My operation was cancelled! I turned up, checked into my room and got myself ready for the consultant, anesthatist and nurse who came in and quizzed me before I signed the forms. That was all great until I was asked if I had any open skin areas to which I said "yes, just this small patch of eczema on my hip where the skin is healing over". Off she goes and sees the consultant who then decides its an infection risk so the op's off!

I called back for a new date and was given November 23rd but as I've a lot of social stuff happening in December around Christmas I've decided to make it January now which will still give me the Winter months to recover, then 3 months after that they'll look at the other knee to be done.