Aches and pains!

[Gemini]

I have started this as my post on Chat yesterday will just get lost, as is the nature the the Chat section

I have been very disappointed by the fact that although I had a successful total left knee replacement a year ago (which I had to self fund) I am if anything less mobile now, certainly no more mobile.
The problem really is my lower back. It so so painful to walk or stand for any length of time, that naturally I am reluctant to do either!

I have monthly sports massages which help a lot, but once I am walking and standing for any length of time again we are back to square one.

My other knee has been a bit painful too. As I sit here typing have been on my feet for couple of hours this morning it is definitely uncomfortable.

I made an appointment with the physio at the doctors surgery.
She thinks my knee is OK. However the X ray I wanted to check this for certain isn't forthcoming. In the past they would have sent me for one. She explained that now they can only send patients with severe pain who need a replacement! Nuts, how do you then know you are maybe at the stage of needing an injection stage but not needing surgery??
To be honest if I feel I need an X ray I am going to have to shell out more £££ to have a private one. Having saved the NHS a lot of money paying for my own operation I feel it is unfair that I have to pay once again. It's not too bad for now so I will leave things as they are for the time being.

She was a lovely lady I have to say, and gave a lot of time.
She listened to me and thoroughly examined my knee, back etc and watched my range of movement,
Basically she doesn't think my right (non operated) knee needs any treatment at present and maybe won't ever. No X ray as I say so that's only on her physically examining.
She says my hip and pelvis are weak on that side and adding to my back and mobility problems. I agree with her.
So for now, keep on with my aqua and massages, take painkillers, and she has sent me some exercises for back and hip. Give it a couple of months and see if that helps.
I am also aiming to lose 2 stones as I know that will help considerably.

She was impressed with my left knee, and said she can tell I have been doing my exercises

[Nanto2girls]

Keep up thee good work Gem,you'll get there.

[Oma]

Gem
I only got a appointment today to see the physiotherapist after a 11 month wait for the pain in the side of my leg and ankle.
As it happens we were only saying yesterday if I didn’t get one soon I would go private .

Its shocking the waiting time, I even rang and said I would go at short notice if there was a cancellation ,
Its booked for October the 21st unless they change it of course.

Back ache can effect every part of you can’t it,

[Gemini]

The waiting times are appalling Oma

I have scoliosis ( curvature of the spine) Diagnosed when I was 11. It's not very severe, but certainly plays a part in my problems.

[WeeGranny]

I joined a 'hip' forum and the number of NHS appointments which get cancelled is dreadful. Sometimes people are only told the same day that there isn't a bed for them and no dates are given as to when the next appointment might be. I was amazed at the different information given about the operation and what to do afterwards, sometimes there's no physio and very often patients are discharged after 2 hours. Frightening really.

My consultant has been very clear about what I can or can't do and he expects his patients to follow his instructions which ( in his words) may differ from other consultants!

I shall be glad when this is all over. In the meantime, I'm not looking closely at the 'hip' forum! Too much information from too many differing sources!

[Gemini]

WG I joined a total knee replacement forum on FB. It's been a great source of support and reassurance. I am glad I didn't find it before my surgery however as I think I would have backed out!! I think you are wise to back off from such things for now, and use it when you need it post op. We will all be here for you xxx

[Lizzie48]

I think it is disgusting having to wait so long for appointments in the UK, I saw the Hull Royal Infirmary was in the top 5 of the worst hospitals in the UK, I did think that when my DS was in there!
I went to see the therapist for my feet yesterday, I don't need new soles but he is putting carbon under the left one as well as the right, I can pick them up on Monday, I manage to walk fine with the right one so he said I will cope, I would rather have that than not being able to walk.

[Gemini]

Lizzie, it is disgusting you're right.
In general people are waiting a long time for even routine appointments, let alone any further action.

It leads to so many in pain or incapacitated for too long, or going private.
In an ideal world my monthly deep tissue/sports massages would be on the NHS as they are purely for pain relief and to aid mobility. Certainly not for pleasure! So many of us must be paying for treatments to try to improve our conditions.

[Oma]

I must admit MILs hip has healed remarkably for her age with very little pain.
Physio on the other hand was a joke.
Got her out of bed shuffle two-three steps to the chair that was it.
Shes moving great on her frame but no thanks to the care in the Hospital.

We have had the same experience with B having operations cancelled at the last minute ,
one even as he was wheeled down to theatre,

appointments changed 5-6 times or more .
This isn’t recent it’s been going on for many many years , they just never get it right.

11 month I have had this pain and apart a x- ray to make sure I didn’t have a broken bone , my Dr who I like a lot didn’t have a clue what’s causing it so no treatment at all.

[Gemini]

We are left to our own devices so much now Oma for things which the GP would have referred for investigation in the past.

[Daisy]

The situation across the whole UK seems to be similar. My sister-in-law who lives in Wales has been waiting for surgery for probably a couple of years. They can't decide whether it's her knee or her hip that is the root cause of her pain and immobility, and now another, recurrent problem has resurfaced so all talk of treatment has stopped until the other problem is operated on, and guess what? No idea when that will be. They are expected their first much longed-for grandchild in November, and she's wondering if she will ever be able to enjoy her granny status free of pain.

[Gemini]

I have started to do the hip exercises, so let's see how things go over the next few weeks

[Daisy]

Good luck, Gem. I hope the exercises help. We certainly need to be proactive to take care of ourselves these days.