Hip Arthroscopy 14 months on

[Jaycey]

Has anybody got any experience of shockwave therapy because the physio department have warned me that it's not nice and will probably hurt?

Hmmm... hardly encouraging to a patient is it? Not sure what they are talking about as from what I read ESWT (Extracorporeal shockwave therapy) is not invasive and there is minor discomfort. Do ask for local anaesthetic if you need it. No reason to suffer silently!

 

[chemflex]

Gutted...just found out that my private medical insurance will not cover ESWT as it is still classed as experimental and has not been approved by NICE.

My consultant told me that it was my tight adductor tendon that was causing the pain in my shin as it was pulling on the bones and muscles. I've been complaining about pain in my shin since November 2015 which has gotten worse and worse and he only released my adductor tendon in November 2016. Seems so unfair that I now have either choose to pay privately for this experimental treatment or not have it when it wasn't my fault.

Feeling really sad right now

 

[Jaycey]

my private medical insurance will not cover ESWT as it is still classed as experimental and has not been approved by NICE.

If it is not approved by NICE, why are there several NICE guidelines on the use of ESWT for the treatment of numerous conditions. I would fight this one. Find someone in your insurance company that is a bit more savvy and not just reading from a script.

 

[chemflex]

ESWT is approved by NICE for conditions such as achilies tendonitis, something to do with the shoulder and a few other things but not periostitis of the tibia. I also had a look myself and they are right.

The physiotherapy department have now spoken to my medical insurance the insurance company is not happy to pay for the physiotherapy but not the £10 extra for the ESWT. My physio said he will see if there is a way for them to absorb the £10 as it is their fault I am still suffering. I have an appointment tonight at 7.30pm, so we'll have to see.

 

[Jaycey]

Well done @chemflex ! Fingers crossed for you!

 

[chemflex]

Hi guys, sorry not posted for a while just been kind of coping.

They have decided that I have nerve damage now and I have been referred to chronic pain management

I have started to get pain back in my groin and extending down the inside of my leg - can labral debribement and femoral osteochondroplasty fail?

 

[Jaycey]

Not good news @chemflex ! I'm going to tag @Josephine for her input.

 

[Josephine]

It's not that they fail as such but the surgery they do can actually advance any arthritic changes. So it's more than likely that this is what your problem is - you need a hip replacement. All the symptoms I've read here point to it.

 

[chemflex]

Oh no, I'm only 36!

 

[Jaycey]

@chemflex There is no age discrimination for folks needing THR. We have teenagers on this site who have had THR. Yes, you are young. But the good news is younger patients tend to recover quickly. Once it's done you can get on with living again. No more hip pain!

Please don't let any surgeon tell you to wait due to your age. Find a surgeon who does high volume THRs and specialises in younger patients. We can probably help you with this if you tell us what hospitals are in your area.

 

[chemflex]

In my area I've got Fairfield Hospital (St Helens), Whiston Hospital and St Helens hospital.

 

[Jaycey]

Let's ask @Josephine if she knows any surgeon in that area. Meanwhile I will do a bit of research as well. Are you willing to travel any distance?

 

[Josephine]

You have a very good hip surgeon at teh Fairfield, Anil Kumar Gambhir. He also works at the Wrightington so has to be good! His 2014-2016 stats are 188 THRs /49 Revisions = 237 Hips in all. Can't do much better than that! But I'll be very disappointed if he won't do you.

In order to ensure you see him and not one of the other mediocre surgeons at Fairfield, you need to get your GO to refer you to him by name and not just to the orthopaedic department in general. Also don't accept a "Choose and Book" appointment. People wanting hip replacement have been known to be referred to a foot surgeon through that system before now!

 

[Jaycey]

@chemflex Josephine beat me to it - that surgeon's numbers look very good! And his private biography says he treats younger patients. But she is right - be sure and get a named referral and don't let anyone tell you that you can't have one.

Another route that I have taken twice is if you have insurance, see the consultant privately for your first consultation. Then ask him how you can get on his NHS list. You still have a waiting time for the op. But you will get the consultation much faster and ensure it's Mr Gambhir that you see. Or if your insurance will cover this you can just go private and get it done much quicker!

Please keep us updated!

 

[Delphi]

Hi @chemflex, just to let you know that my sister in law had her knee replaced by Mr Gambhir at Wrightington in Dec and she thought he was excellent. It has been a very successful surgery. She was walking the dog with very little pain after 6 wks, which is I think a very rapid recovery.

 

[chemflex]

Thank you all very much for your help and advice. I've managed to book an appointment with my GP, but it isn't until 13th March

 

[Josephine]

Jolly good!

 

[Irish Joe]

@chemflex.
I think if you need to get your hip replaced as "the wise one" @Josephine has said then you should go for it. You wouldn't be the youngest by a longshot and they can last ages now (30+yrs).
Can I ask another question? Why in the name of goodness would you have to wait 3 weeks to see a GP. 3 days over here would be considered a long time.
Joe.......

 

[Josephine]

Oh, @Irish Joe - that's the parlous state of our NHS at the moment!

 

[chemflex]

I've booked an appointment to go back to Fairfield Hospital and see a consultant privately. I need evening appointments so that I doubt have to cancel patients. I've got an appointment on Tuesday evening to see a gentleman called Mr Ealing Pydisetty, had anyone heard of him?