Just seen the consultant and yep confirmed I need TKR advised he can't push me any further up the NHS waiting list would need to wait my turn like everyone else approx 2 years! If I choose to self fund it can be done on May 9th! Looks like I have some serious thinking to do!
Hi I was in the same boat, I spent from 2010 till early 2015 being sent
from physio to orthopaedic nurse then finally been told we cant do
anymore for you, you need to see an orthopaedic consultant. I saw him had an arthroscopy which didnt work consultant as told i needed a tkr but at
49 was too young.I was put on more painkillers and more and eventually morphine. I was told would be 12 to 18mths on NHS. My pain got worse lifewas unbearable and i could not cope with day to day living. This was now Feb 2016. My husband rang the consultant to see if could be moved up list/put on cancellation list told no.... he enquired about going private... certainly i can do the operation in 2 weeks!! He did say we would go ahead then told me what he had done. He coukd not bear to seeme suffer any more. Idid have the op early March 2016, really sucessful.
Unfortunately other knee now needs done but i will have to wait as cant afford a loan for other knee. Think long and hard, i am so glad i did it.
I know if i hadnt i may have not been here now, i thought of maybe taking another painkiller at times ascouldnt cope with all the pain.
Our NHS at times is awful, wait for 12-18mths or get it done privately in 2weeks. ..
iF you can afford to I woukd do it. Takecare and keep me posted what
you do. S
Thanks Sue your journey very similiar to mine. I had arthoscopy Feb 2016 consultant was reluctant to carry it out said 80% chance it wouldnt work and I would be back within 2 years. Saw a different consultant on the NHS November who tried to say it was referred pain in my hip!! Gave me a cortisone which lasted 4 days and a course of physio. GP tried to refer me back even as urgent am looking at October before am even seen. Asked my GP to refer me private and I saw the consultant who did the original surgery. He is recommending TKR says its the only thing that will solve my problems. Am looking at funding options as we speak!
Thanks Sue nice to hear from you
Debs x
How awful for you! Two years on painkillers waiting for a TKR? I thought my surgeon was backed up in U.S., because it was three months to find an opening that fit his and my schedules. Although my medical coverage was excellent, I was shocked when I received "this is not a bill" itemizing the hospital and surgeon. It was over $12000. How can people afford those kinds of medical costs? I really hope you can find a way to get moved up the list to a more reasonable date.
Best to you
Ellen
I had similar problems 20 years ago , doctor , physio , accupuncture , arthroscopy none of which worked . I was told I was too young for replacment surgery . All changed when I told GP that I had private health care provided by my company . Refered to consultant and had knee replaced two weeks later Had left knee replaced 19½ years ago and the right 17½ years ago . Changed my life ,it was hard at first , lots of physio and 6 months off work each time . Now almost 20 years later I am really glad I had them done , no pain , good movement almost 140 bend and perfectly straight ., and on my last review 2 years ago xrays were fine and I was told no need for further reviews unless a problem develops . I recommend anyone to have the op if needed , it is hard work and painful at first , but worth it in the long run .
Think about Synvisc injections while you wait. Worked for me a looooong time. Two varieties: 1. 3 injections within 14 days can last up to a year; or 2. one injection can last up to six months. Doesn't work for everyone but did for me.
Thanks Ellen, am looking at self funding if I do this the TKR will be done May 9th
Thanks David think am going to bite the bullet and look to finance it I have the help of a good family round me am sure I can raise the funds
This waiting list time varies hugely in different hospitals. Can I suggest looking online at various places that you are able to choose from, to check on their waiting lists yourself? My hospital is quoting 3 - 4 weeks to see the surgeon and then 8 - 12 weeks for the op, for instance. That's in Derby. It's a bit of a trek for us, but worth it.
I can totally relate to this, albeit I'm 10 years younger. I'm 11 wks post TKR and did as above, I'm in Cornwall I had a choice of hospitals (3 being smaller treatment centres) these had drastically reduced waiting times. After a failed anthroscopy/micro fracturing I was in to see my consultant 6 wk after referral, that was last October and had my OP beginning of Feb (I could have had it earlier but decided to go ahead with a Christmas family holiday) have a search around.
Good luck
Michelle
I waited over 11 years for my replacement, mainly because i was too young they said at 50, anyway all done 4 weeks ago, but a good idea is when you go to the pre op and chat with the nurse about things, your health etc etc is to say you can go on standby (thats if your able if course ) in other words if you can go in on short notice i was called on a thursday and asked if i could gonin on thd following Tuesday, i dont think many know that this option us available, good luck anyway its worth it
Oh my goodness that IS a long wait, it's rediculas 2 years. I was told 18 weeks & it was , to the day. How will you manage I'm not sure but I think Tkr is 12-13 thousand.
I did look online some time back and I think there were a few places that did them for around 9 thousand, if you were close enough to them.
Wow still a lot of cash, pity you're not on Bupa or something
Hi Eileen I've secured a bank loan to fund it gonna take 5 years to pay it off though
Hi Debs, been thinking about you and making the decision. Mine cost £1050 herein N.Ireland and then had outpatient consultation on top. I too will be paying it for 5 years but glad,so glad i did. xx
Thanks Sue, am very anxious at the moment worrying about surgery and recovery know I need it doing and am glad it's being done but am really scared at moment can't sleep x
Freestork, Its amazing that you have to do that , you don't say where in the UK you live but a 2 year wait is unbelievable, Well done for being able to secure a loan but I think it's dreadful you have to pay, the good thing is you'll get it over with & feel better once over recovery . I thought 18 weeks was a long time but my consultant did give me a massive cortisone injection meanwhile ,which really helped. I really wish you well & look forward to hearing @ your recovery .
Freestork , Reading this forum looks scary but everyone has said, including me, the hospital staff are really caring & look after you well. I know @ the pain but they give you brilliant pain killers & also send you home with them. As you'll be private it may be good to see if you have to pay for extra medication. I found & still do find this forum very helpful as you can talk with folk who know & get reassurance & help. Keep strong
Thank you Eileen. I'm on the Wirral. Was told 18 week wait for initial consultation from when I receive the first hospital letter, but already had letter from GP surgery to say no appointments available and wouldn't receive my 18 week letter until at least July so would be probably looking at October before I would have my first appointment. Then if they referred me for surgery would be looking at 18/24 months x