Just received pre-op assessment date -for next week. What does this mean?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Does this mean my op is imminent (providing the assessment goes well of course)?

Advice seems to vary.

What does the group think?

2

First time round my pre op was Feb 15th then got a letter to say my surgery date was Feb 29th. My surgery was cancelled and had surgery on April the 11th but didnt need to get my pre ops done again.

So hopefully your surgery will be in a few weeks. How do you feel about it x

3

Whoops that was a lie. My pre op was Feb 9th and surgery date was Feb 29th hahah

4

Still terrified (see my original post).

I just can't believe that this has happened so quickly.

I only saw the consulting surgeon less than 2 weeks ago!

5

I cant find it, want to fill me in?

I like to try and be helpful as im a rather unusual case myself haha x

6

Hi Sarah thanks for your response. I will give you the abbreviated version.

After being in pain with my knee for about 9 months (I thought I'd twisted it, or something minor). I eventually went to the doctors as it wasn't getting any better and was referred to a specialist! who realised that it wasn't my knee but my hip. I had a X-Ray taken which revealed severe arthritis to my right hip and that the only solution was a THR. But of a shock when I just thought I might need an injection or something for my knee.

I've had little or no experience with surgery and consequently the whole idea of a major op absolutely terrifies me and when I first found out, left me a gibbering wreck!

7

Ahh i see. Yes surgery is scary. But it flies over. Feels like you have been asleep for 2 minutes. Its blood tests i find the worst part of the whole thing. And the blood oressure monitor as they get quite sore after like a million in one day. Trust me you have nothing to worry about.

Im 20 and this was my 13th surgery so i wasnt really that nervous. They take you up, run through tests like a blood test and temperature, blood pressure. Then they ask random stuff like when you ate, drank, and other questions, sign the consent. Then they take you to a room and you speak to the anisthesiast and the surgeon, there may be other patients in the room to. Then you go to the room outside the theatre, get put to sleep and then before you know it you are waking up in recovery. Well thats what happened to me. I was in at half 7, in theatre by half 8 and waking up in recovery at half 3 xx

8

Chloe,

See my blogs - 

20 August 2014 Initial diagnosis 

30 April 2015    Assessment by the surgeon 

 I delayed my operation due to 40th wedding anniversary celebrations & holiday.

 Pre-op blood test in the week before the operation

29 Oct 2015     The operation ...... 

I'd say it's going to be fairly soon if you are lucky - it all depends on the demand in your area and your surgeon's workload.

Read up about what you need to prepare on my website.  Address is in my personal information at 

  https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and in the moderators useful resources thread at 

  https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Graham - 🚀💃

Graham - 🚀💃

9

My situation is very similar to yours, I was having physio on my knee, was sent to see rheumatoid consultant was sent for xray n told needed urgent rthr it is very scary

10

Hi Michelle have you received your pre-op assessment date yet?

11

Thanks Graham

Very informative.

So, if all goes 'well' at the pre-op assessment I could be looking at having a new hip shortly.

 

12

Hi Chloe 

the pre op assessment is usually when you will be given your date for surgery. They are usually valid for 3 months , usually the op is about a month later . Try not to be frightened - write down all your questions ( and the answers you get as you may not remember . The assessment usually compromises a nurse taking some health details down , height , weight , urine test . Blood pressure and ecg - these are all to check you are healthy enough to have the op and to identify anyone who might need extra support post op ie ITU/ HDU if a bigger anesthetic risk. You may see an anaethetist , you may see your surgeon who may discuss op date with you , you may see an OT to discuss how you will cope at home and what help you need. You may go to a hip class . You notice I say usually and may a lot ! Thats because every facility is different and has its own rules re what they do but thats the general premise. I am a nurse and used to work in orthopaedics so carried out the pre op assessment role , ( doesnt make having the surgery any less worrying , we make the worst patients !) big hug xxxx

13

Hi Chloe, I've got my pre-op tomorrow & my OP is on 8th June. They told me pre-op is usually a couple of weeks before actual OP date but I'll be on holiday next week. I had a knee OP 2 years ago & at the pre-op they took blood, swabs for MRSA & an ECG, that was it. I'm expecting a little more tomorrow because of the restrictions you have to follow post-op. Please don't be scared. I was petrified when I was first diagnosed. I was being treated for something else & at 46 it was the last thing on my mind. Now, with the help of this wonderful forum, I am totally laid back about it. I'm sure I'll be nervous on the day but I just keep reminding myself what a better quality of life I'll have afterwards x

14

Hi Chloe I had joint school on Mon 16/5 and my pre op is Mon 23/5

15

Thanks for responding.  I was advised that the pre-op assessment will take 3 to 3.5 hours, so it will certainly be thorough.  However, no mention was made of an op date.  I suppose it could just be caution on the hospital's part in case something shows up with the tests. 

I understand that I should use this time to ask questions, but I'm not too sure what I should be asking - any ideas?

16

Hi Fernlady Good luck for your pre-op tomorrow.  I'd love to hear what happens - if you don't mind telling me of course.

Are you going to be asking questions?  I would be interested in knowing what you ask - and the replies too.

17

Hi Michelle Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by 'Joint School'?

My journey has been GP, referal to knee specialist, actual problem spotted by knee specialist and confirmed by hip X-Ray, referal to hip specialist, referal to orthopaedic surgeon, direct listing by surgeon and now pre-op assessment.  

 

18

It was a 2 hour meeting where we learnt what would happen, how to care for hip after surgery, and if we needed aids etc after surgery. It was very informative. Whereabouts do you live

19

Hi - anything and everything that you are worried about will be fine - I don't know your age , sensibilities or life style but I have been asked all the following , resuming work , sex , activities , driving , sports , hobbies - etc how much pain , discomfort , will you be sick after , how long in hospital , how you will cope at home , will you be awake during op , will it be painful , to be honest absolutely anything you want or need to ask will be fine - it's all been asked before ! Xxxx

20

Sounds a good idea.  Perhaps it will be covered in my long pre-op assessment - I hope.

I live in Sussex - what about you?