Hip Arthroscopy Where to go now?

[tracycharli]

I do understand what you're saying Josephine and I do appreciate your advice.

I know it can take 6 months for a full recovery, but at 3 months post op, surely things should be getting slightly easier, not harder.

My physio is suspecting that it might be the tendon that is snapping over the front of the hip and has withdrawn my exercises, for simple stretches. I tried to explain that the snapping sound is the exactly the same as before the surgery, as is the pain. But I understand that she is limited to what she can do if the consultant hasn't suggested/suspected anything else.

I have been to see 2 different GP's to ask for a referral, although because my practice is full of GPT's they aren't happy to refer me. They want me to speak to my consultant's secretary and explain that I'm unhappy, and try to get an earlier appointment than November. But they basically told me that I won't get a referral from them or the consultant because no other surgeon will want to take on the other surgeon's case. I shall be ringing the secretary tomorrow, as well as trying to book an appointment with a partner of the GP practice.

The pain is definitely getting worse though. Today, I had to take my car for it's MOT and service, and since they had no waiting room, had to try and find a bus stop and go into town. The walk must have been about 0.5miles, and I felt like crawling towards the end of it. I went to my friends house, so I could be comfortable, but I had to go pick up the car and the walk back from the bus stop to the garage was agony. I seem to be taking more and more pain meds again and am seriously considering using my crutches again.

I know I may be becoming a bit repetitive, but I'm really down in the dumps. I have already had 2 years of my life taken away from this, and the thought of another 2 (1 year post op before anyone will do anything then another for investigations etc) with basically no quality of life is really getting to me. I'm also expected to go back to work on wednesday (half days for 2 weeks) which is adding to the pressure. I have a walk from the car park to work of about 0.25 miles and I'm not sure how I'm going to cope. So far work has been supportive, but I can only sit for a while before having to stand up and walk for a few minutes, then sit back down and the pattern continues, and i'm not sure how I'm going to cope, or even if I am going to be able to do a job at work. But i'm worried about not being able to and letting my boss down, or even worse, not being able to cope and having to go back on the sick.

I'll keep you posted as to what happens.......

 

[Josephine]

Well, you have to be more assertive with your GP and tell them you want a second opinion. It's untrue that surgeons won't take on someone else's case. How do you think revision surgeons get half their cases if it were not for second opinions? That's just daft. Try telling them you don't have any confidence in this chap any more.

(What's a GPT?)

Doesn't your garage operate a collect and deliver service? My garage is on the other side of Sunderland and I'm halfway between Sunderland and Durham, some 9 miles distant. But when I take my car in, they have a driver who takes me home and collects me when it's ready to be picked up.

Won't your GP sign you off for a while longer? You shouldn't be forced to go back to work if you're not fit enough.

 

[tracycharli]

Well I rang the hospital today and explained, they were fine and said they would speak to my GP practice to tell them to refer me. Then got another phone call from the hospital to say the practice have refused to refer me until I see my consultant again. I've tried to bring forward the appointment with him, but it's still going to be 18th October. I've got an appointment with one of the senior doctors in the practice on monday, and I will be telling them AGAIN that i do not want to see him again, that I have no confidence in him, that he's not taking me seriously etc

I have rang the physio today for some advice. After the pain yesterday and going back to work tomorrow etc The physio has told me to use the crutches again. And to use them unless i'm just pottering around the house.

GPT = GP Trainee
Unfortunately the garage doesn't do a collection service, and I got a good deal at a garage which unbeknown to me is in the middle of nowhere!
I kind of have to go back to work, because I am so skint. The NHS pay me sick pay, but I work there 3 days a week. I work for an agency the other 2 days, and they don't pay sick pay. If I claimed employment allowance then I wouldn't be able to claim it again for 12 months, and since I reckon that I'll need more surgery, need to save the claim until next time. I'm going to see how I go on half days for 2 weeks, and if I can't cope I'll just have to go back on the sick. fingers crossed I manage.......

 

[Josephine]

Fingers well and truly crossed, my dear. I know what it's like doing agency work - done a ton of it in my time.

Well, your surgery really is a control freak type, isn't it? I hate it when they are like that because there's really no call for it. However, regarding the hospital being agreeable to the referral, I can only say

! Such a shame the surgery wasn't as helpful.

 

[Stephie]

First of all huge hugs tracycharli what a horrendous time you've had.

See how you get on at the meeting with the GP partner and remember to quote patient charter etc at them. If still no good maybe consider changing surgeries? I know this depends on if there are other surgeries nearby and/or if they are taking on patients. Also consider complaining to the Primary Care Trust???

I hope you get sorted I really do. I've had the rubbish GP then when eventually I got to see a surgeon he said I was too young for THR so to put up with the pain for years. I am fortunate now to have a lovely GP and a great surgeon who gave a correct diagnosis and who is in Glasgow so not a million miles away from you xxx

 

[cm19820]

I can relate to this completly!!! if you look through my previous posts you will see that i had the same problem as youself.

November 2010 - 5 hour arthroscopy to remove FAI and repair torn labrum.
January 2011 - returned to work, pre op pain returned
April 2011 - Further open surgery to take more bone and re-repair torn labrum. This gave me approx 12 months of relief as i began to feel pain again early this year.

I am actually sat in my hospital bed typing this one day following hip re-surfacing surgery, although i have not been out of bed yet, i am optimistic that it has worked and only wish i had done this in the first place!

 

[MarkC]

I can understyand your frustration. I had a very similar thing happen and ended up replacing. Hip was too far gone. Unfortunately, there ae many Dr.'s who will give it a "shot" when they are not all to certain it will work. For example, I just had a great Doc at Duke tell me he thought I had 80 % chance of gaining time with that surgery on my left hip. I went for second opinion from another Doc who does that procedure (both learned from the guru that did Alex Rods hip surgery). The second Dr. took 45 minutes to show me (with my own MRI and e-rays) why he would NOT do it. he had more experience and was very convincing. Needless to say, I will not be undergoing the scope for the left hip. Maybe you will come around (it takes lots of time), but I do think you should not be afraid to get second opinion.

I now understand the value of getting as many opinins from as many good Dr.s as you can. the last guy I saw knew every OS I had been to and actually gave me his opinion on all of THEM. Sounds like I have seen some very good OS's but I have no chosen 2 that I will consult with on my left him and trust.

 

[tracycharli]

Just an update.....

I've been to see one of the senior GP's in my practice and have got myself a referral to Newcastle.....HOORAY!!!! She's mortified that 2 others have refused. She's of the same opinion that at 29 this should not be dragging on. Hopefully she'll word the referral strongly so I can get a quick appointment. So YEY, that's the good news, fingers crossed that it doesn't take too long.

Bad news is that working 3xhalf days last week has absolutely crippled me. The pain has been seriously bad all weekend and isn't any better today. If i'm moving further than the front door, I have my crutches with me. It's awful. The doc has signed me off again, she doesn't see the point in me killing myself at work and possibly making myself worse.

It's nice to know that i'm not the only one to have had problems. I don't know why they push the arthroscopy, and don't really explain that it might not work!

I hope you're recovering craig, and let me know how it goes! I'll read up on your posts now.

Tracy
xxx

 

[Jamie]

That IS good news, Tracy. I hope you can get into surgery soon. Please take things as easy as you can.

 

[Josephine]

I don't know why they push the arthroscopy, and don't really explain that it might not work!

Well it does work, actually, but only in the right hands and at the right time. But I'm pleased you've got referred to the RVI. That's wonderful!

 

[tracycharli]

My GP thinks the best person for me to see initially is a Dave Weir. Maybe that is the only name she could recall at the time! Do you know of him Josephine?

By the looks of it, Newcastle do a fast track service for musculo-skeletal which would be great.

Until then, I'm planning on taking it as easy as possible. Although I tried to hoover today and had to dismantle the darn thing cos it wasn't picking up (the hose was blocked with animal fur, tut!) then hoover, so suffering a bit now!

 

[Poppet]

Hi Tracy

Thanks for your PM, sorry it has taken me a couple of days to get back to you.

Yes, I am allergic to NSAIDs. I am one of the unlucky ones who contracted Chronic Kidney Dusease (CKD) as a result of taking NSAIDs for some time. My kidney function was not being monitored and my functionality deteriorated rapidly, from 100% functioning kidneys to just 41% in a matter of months. My Renal specialist is monitoring my CKD, but it is very much up and down. Currently, it is going down again and we are not sure why. A few more % points and I will have to go on dialysis and potentially the kidney transplant list.. Sadly, this has delayed getting my other hip done, which is difficult as my Renal specialist does not like me taking any meds of possible or very limited in dosage/strength/frequency.. That includes paracetamol!

Yes, you are also correct in that I am a Naturopath, my main modality is herbal medicine. However, I am not permitted by law (The Common Law Act) to provide advice, especially in a PM as that would be breaking the law. So, the best I can suggest my dear is that you try and see a Naturopath and have a consultation. Discuss your allergies and ask if he/she can recommend a topical herbal treatment. There are quite a few, that would benefit you in the short term I believe. With this type of pain, it is difficult to treat naturally. However, acupuncture and topical treatments do give some relief.

I hope this helps and thanks for your PM - take care, I hope it improves for you and you get answers and relief soon.

 

[tracycharli]

it sounds like you've had an awful time poppet! I hope you don't need dialysis.

I think I'll try to see a natruopath next month to see what they can suggest, at this point, I'd try anything! I didn't realise you couldn't give me advice, so I apologise. sorry.

I hope you're well xxx

 

[Poppet]

Hi Tracy, just logged off then noticed you were on line

No need to apologise as part of my registration I have a provider number and can write prescriptions, sick leave certificates etc.. That's why I have to be careful.

Do let me know how you go seeing a naturopath.. There are some excellent topical herbal treatments that will provide anti inflatory and analgesic relief. So there is hope honey

 

[Hipmama]

I feel so dumb for not reading in the post surgery section! I am new to the site and had posted in pre-op even though I was scoped on 1st August, 2012. I am in the same boat as you. Had done ok but completely crashed and have been miserable for almost 3 weeks now. Even physical therapy won't work with me now because I am so sore! I hope to get some aquatic therapy soon.
I am also going for a second opinion tomorrow. I am nervous about it since doctors respect other doctor's "territory" but my goodness it is my hip and I cannot live like this! At ten weeks, I am on Vicodin and a muscle relaxant, I use two crutches, I ice constantly and I can not work full time.
While I know scopes work for some, there also seems to be a common theme. For those of us who didn't get relief, we wonder how on earth anyone could recommend them! I feel a bit duped because I was led to believe by six weeks I would return to at least every day survival and work. Not a chance for me! I cannot grocery shop, drive more than to work, vacuum, etc. I am not even sleeping through the night from pain. As far as the waiting goes, I could even handle some minor ups and downs but not a continual spiral down.
I know this post is a bit old but I would love to hear how you are doing and what you might hope for from here. I need my left hip fixed as well as my scoped right hip and honestly, I am not ok waiting forever to see if maybe there is a small chance this gets better only to do it again and postpone THR for a couple of years?? No thank you! It's just miserable and not worth it to me!
My fingers are crossed for us all to find relief soon. Good luck to you! And write me anytime.

 

[Jamie]

Hipmama....I'm glad to hear you are seeking additional opinions. It sounds like an excellent plan. You should not continue to be in this kind of pain, just waiting to see if things improve.

If you haven't done so, I suggest that you start a thread of your own so you can provide updates on your situation and ask questions. When you start it, explain a little about your history in the first post and go from there.

 

[Hipmama]

Thanks! I did post in the pre-op section. Should I do so again here?

 

[Jamie]

Hipmama No....that's fine. Since you haven't had a THR, your own thread is more appropriate in the pre-op section right now. But please don't hesitate to post in threads anywhere in the forum.....your comments are VERY welcome!!!

 

[Hipmama]

Thanks again. I think the best way to put it that I am sad to be here but happy to have you all!

 

[tracycharli]

Hi Hipmama!!

Sorry that you are going through the same thing as me, although at least we have company for our misery and can compare options. I'm very glad you have come along and contacted me. Although it sucks for you, it's nice to know that someone is in the same boat.

Since I last wrote, not a lot has changed. I have eventually got a referral to another surgeon in a different location from my present consultant. It means starting from scratch, but hopefully this means i will get the treatment i deserve! My appointment with him is 31st October, so I should have some more news then.

Like you, physical therapy has stopped because it causes too much pain. I don't sleep either. I've ordered a knee pillow to see if that helps. I cannot work at all, and can only drive for about 30mins. I can't do my own grocery shopping, and so have to do it online and have it delivered. Thank god for the internet! I'm on 2 opioids, tramadol and oromorph and am using 2 elbow crutches. My physio said to use them any other time than just pottering round the house, but even getting around the house is very hard at times. I know now, that anything the new surgeon decides to do (whether it be a revision surgery or hip resurfacement/replacement) the recovery precess is going to be extra long, as my muscles etc in my right side are withering away and seizing.

I think if our surgeons had told us about the possibility of this happening to us, we would have asked for other options. My left side is now clicking terribly too, so I guess i'm going to need work on that one too.

So what has your new surgeon suggested?