good afternoon, I've finally plucked the courage to ring my consultants secretary to join the waiting list for a THR, I was shocked when I was told I needed one, so I was wondering from all your past experience how long is the waiting list in the uk? Thank you all lovely people 😊xx
Hi Linzh, it seems to depend where in the uk you live and if its been done at a NHS hospital or a private one (but paid for under NHS) I live in dorset and had my right THR done last July. My doc gave me the 'choose & book' option and I had mine done at a BMI private hospital. Saw the consultant in April 15, he put me on the list then and was told around 12-16 weeks - mid June got a call to offer me a cancellation but could not take the date, however the secretary offered me 16th July so that was 14 weeks for me. Now almost 8mths in and never regreated it and if you want any further info please let me know.
Very best wishes..... Arthur
Thank you Arthur,
😊
Hi Linz I had mine done in Cumbria,also on the choose and book system.
My appointment with the consultant was last April and I was offered a date the same day for July but that was not convenient as we travel to Spain often,because we are retired and can do that. I did not book on the system but kept in contact with her secretary who then arranged a date that fit in with our travel arrangements. I had my L thr done last October. It was the best thing ever for me. It is such a huge relief not to be on any painkillers. I am very thankful to be able to walk normally, cycle any go to yoga.
Good luck. Jen x
Hiya
i waited 15 weeks for right hip,operation 4th april 2014 and 12 weeks for left hip had op 18th February 2015
wishing you all the best
Dee xx
Do YOU feel you need one? I would suggest you wait until you really feel it will change your life... it's good, but lasts 15-20 years and revisions are much more complex (I've just had a revision after 22 years and i'm 64). Depends how old you are - a second revision is NOT recommended at all!
Good luck getting what you need and want x
i live in NW london and through choose and book saw the consultant last september, he told me it would happen after xmas, 2nd week in jan i phoned to be told the waiting list was up to a year - i put on my best teacher voice and said i had assumed the consultant meant the xmas just gone and not next, and that i was being pressurised by senior teachers because of the need to buy in a cover teacher - exam groups blah blah - as if by magic i was told there was a possiblility of february 18th - when i phoned again the next day i was booked in! Dont be afraid to nag !
now recovering and hopefully back to school a week or so after the easter holiday
I live in. Norwich, was referred to consultant may 2014, consultant appointment 20 September 2014, op finally 23 Jan 2015 after being put back first 1 mth, then 2 ops cancelled due to black alerts.
So all in all 8 mths.
Hi,
Well done for plucking up the courage to go for THR. I was extremely nervous when I started off. My name is Kevin, aged 53 and have just had a total hip replacement last Tuesday at Darent Hospital, Kent.
Following sport and injuries, my hip became severaly arthritic to the point my mobility everyday was restricted and painfull in many areas of my left leg, hip, groin and back and as expected my quality of life was poor, although it did excuse me from certain dance lessons and classes with my wife. I had my first X-ray/scan which confirmed a ceramic operation however 6 months later after a further one I had deteriorated so I had a titanium one.
My pre op briefings by the hospital team were excellent and took great care in all questions asked and concerns, and before I knew it the day had arrived. Arrived at 7am, preop chats completed, sent down to theatre at 9.30, had a epidural and one and half hour op which I felt nothing, sedated and although scared, felt confident in my care team. Was sent to recovery where I stayed for half an hour and so well cared for. The epidural wore off after about an hour duringwhich tiime I was sent to my care ward Cherry Ward for three nights.
Pain relief was quickly given which I will still take for as long as It will take and only had two small bouts of nausea about three hours after the op.My appetite has been normal, in fact eating more, and taking plenty of fluids has helped slight constipation.
The following day of the operation I left my bed and sat in a raised arm chair with no problems and th following day walked small distance around the ward on crutches and released for home last Friday following checks by occup health and physio to confirm I was ok to be released.
Since release I have experienced a heavy leg weight feeling and slight swollen knee and ankle, which I was informed would be expected but with on going pain killers and one self injection per evening of Fragim I am experiencing a lot less pain than before the op. I will say I am very relieved having gone through it and will take time and perseverance each day to get mobility back but so far so good.
If you wish any info in much more depth I am more than happy to help, but you are doing the right action and send you my best wishes and regards for a successful op.
Kev.
Thought I should just mention the fact that, in some rare cases, 2nd revisions are, indeed, recommended. As in my case. I had an original RTHR in 2007, which went wrong from the start, with nerve damage, constant pain etc. They did first revision in 2009, but things didn't improve. It's now been discovered, by a different surgeon/consultant, that the cap of the device has come loose, despite the 7 screws involved, and is migrating up into my pelvis. It is being driven further up with, literally, every step I take. Already, it's led to my leg being 4cm shorter than the other. If I don't have a second revision, this situation will continue and worsen to the point where I lost the use of my leg altogether.
Needless to say, I'm extremely nervous about the next op - 13th May - especially considering that I've been told my risk factors are multipliied by 3.
Not much choice, though.
Yeah I do need one, I'm bone in bone, and obviously very painful. It gives way, I can't put my socks on, ride my bike etc, my surgeon to be has stated the obvious that I am very young, and will probably need 3 done in my lifetime if I live to 80.
Thank you Kevin, it's good to hear people's experiences with this, I'm so nervous it's unreal! I don't know how I will react when the surgeon suggests an epidural! I think I would want to be knocked out! How brave are you! X
Hiya Linzh, We all get a little scared, it was my first ever op and stay in hospital and had epidural with light sedation - you will not feel it happening, the anaesthetist sprayed a freeze solution on my back and seconds later was at my side giving me the sedative into my hand.
Yes, sounds like you have thought it all through..I think a revision of a revision is a difficult propcedure and I wonder how I can try to avoid it. Do any of you know?
Hi Linzh
just caught your comment about being knocked out! I just want to say that as a nurse, I thought I knew it all and I was thinking a GA would be the best option for me.
i Thank God every day that I chose the epidural and sedation. Apart from some very cold spray on your back, you feel nothing. The anaesthetist said I would drift off to sleep in a while. I replied that I did,nt feel sleepy at all! A nurse then said she was pleased to hear it because I was in recovery! Honestly, it was wonderful! I was as bright as a button straight away. I also asked for a catheter, which they fitted when I was asleep, so I did not have to worry about peeing in the bed, which is your only option. They pad you out, but not being able to get up for a few hours and not being able to shower it off really did,nt appeal to me! It was great and came out the next day once I could get to the loo!
i will be thinking of you,
sending you love and hugs,
Sue xxxx
Hiya....I was veryscared and nervous and will admit experienced a strong urge to hop it out of surgery. But as Weycat has explained below, same happened to me and worked out lovely. You will feel a slight stinging sensation and then a little pressure on your back when they apply the epi but only a little. Then the sedation is very very relaxing. Great that your talking, should have heard me before my op......rabbit rabbit rabbit. Helped though and friends and hospital plus hip forum .....marvelous. X
Hi Su and Linzh,
Sue is spot on, although as mentioned I had a very slight sting and pressure, but when it's time for my right hip I will have his procedure again. As for shower occu team said not to have one for two weeks to keep op bandage dry, but my post op bridge team said go ahead staight away, which I did, so refreshing , had three now and have no problems. X
Hi I live in Barnsley,uk from going to the doctors seeing the surgon , pre med took me 6 weeks in all ,
I am in Devon and from the time I saw the Consultant in the beginning, it was 8 weeks to the operation. You will be fine with an epidural, I had one with a light sedation which sent me to sleep straight away. I woke up to find I was already glued together and the surgeon was just putting some stera strips on and the dressing. You will be fine. Good luck.
Yes, of course. Gooid od luck with it all. I just meant that when we are Good luck with it all... I just meant that thinking long term. it might be good to try to avoid lots of revisions... silly really coz we do what we have to do!
My physio (private) said to me that his advice is to have the THR as early as possible and to put off the revision as long as possible. I do feel anxious about the future - if I have to have another revision on the same hip, will it leave me unable to walk or what?