Severe Arthritis in hip

Plevey08

It's self referral where I live too, though quite a long waiting list. I'm not sure if it's the same in Scotland though? I'm not sure why or how some people get physio and others don't with self referral worriedwell? Is it a case of how well you explain the problem? Is so it does have it's drawbacks.

I've self referred more than once for different things. I just phoned and asked for an appointment. They ask the area so I say hip and they explain the physio won't look at other issues. If you do first appointment on line it is faster, I think I waited two months last time as I wanted an in person appointment. As far as I can tell if you ask you get an appointment. The physio then decides how often you will be seen and when. You are left on their list for 12 weeks when you complete treatment so if things deteriorated you don't have to start the whole process again.

I always say I'll go to any hospital not just my local one.

Lots of my friends have had hip replacements, none have used walking aids but all have had constant pain which has required strong pain relief and has affected the quality of their lives and disturbed their sleep. There's useful information on the NHS website. Friends have also had steroid injections and physio before being offered an operation.

It's self referral where I live too, though quite a long waiting list. I'm not sure if it's the same in Scotland though? I'm not sure why or how some people get physio and others don't with self referral worriedwell? Is it a case of how well you explain the problem? Is so it does have it's drawbacks.

Ask your GP to refer you for a second opinion, even if it means a different hospital.

Plevey08

That's good to hear worriedwell. Physio is brilliant if you get enough sessions and follow up with exercises at home. But not always easy to get but worth asking for.

It's self referral where I live so you phone and make an appointment. Physio decides how many treatments you need and how often.

That's good to hear worriedwell. Physio is brilliant if you get enough sessions and follow up with exercises at home. But not always easy to get but worth asking for.

I have physio for mine. I was crying the pain was so bad. I don't even need painkillers now and I can cut my toenails again.

Hmm...I don't know your age, or if you have any health conditions that might make it less likely for you to recover well. But it doesn't sound like it as he said come back in 3 to 4 years. Do you know if there is a high waiting list in your area? As others suggest go back to your GP explain you don't think consultant understood the level of pain or the restriction on your life. There might be.a possibility he could refer you to out of your area hospital if it's a question waiting lists and you were able to do that. Otherwise it is injections and different pain management. Postcode lottery could be the problem.

That must be really hard for you not knowing if or when they will give you the operation.
I was more or less housebound prior to both THRs, 2nd one in particular was so bad as Covid delayed the op 4 times.
In your situation I think I'd keep at them regarding your pain and the effect it's having on your life.
I can't believe the difference both operations made to my life.

Part of the annoyance is that I know of many males and females who have had total hip and sometimes knee too, and they did not use any walking aids. Also that the consultant was referribg to an x-ray taken 9 months ago. 5 week wait for GP appointment re medication. I'm in Scotland. .

I suggest you go back to the g.p.and tell them how you life is badly affected by your hip. You really do have to push and push these days. You can choose to have the operation done in another area which is often the way to hurry it along. I had a hip replacement 10 years ago and I remember how bad my hip was for a long time.

I think I would ask for a second opinion or at least have the offer of injections which kept me going for a year or so . I live in Outer London and when it was agreed I needed a hip replacement I had to wait about 4 months - date is very soon! Good luck

In this area there is a wait of about 6 months for an NHS hip replacement and recovery rate is very quick, I know many that have had hips, some knees too. The main reason for not having a replacement is poor general health or obesity, they are told no replacement until you loose weight.

Having both hips replaced myself, when the pain is in the rear of the hip painkillers controlled it, when the pain was in the groin it was not controlled for me.

A friend has been told exactly the same thing, it’s appalling. No chance of re-referral until all cartilage is gone, then of course she’ll still have to wait. We’re in the South West.

I’m so thankful I went ahead with a TKR when I did in 2021, just a few weeks waiting, now in this area it would be years.

The Consultant I saw does a huge amount of private orthopaedic surgeries. After my dismissal I wondered if he would consider me suitable for replacent hip if I was paying. Going to try for GP appointment re medication and will just tell them I felt the referral was a waste of time. I can get in and out of a car easily on drivers side but passenger side is difficult and painful. I have done the buying the between knees cushion to ease pain when sleeping - useless and now seem to have outgrown that particular phase.
I am now convinced the outcome of the consultation is all down to the terrible state of the NHS where I live inspite of having had an appointment at the NationalTreatment Centre for Orthopeadics that has only 33 beds!

Will they not even put you on the waiting list?

It was my chiropractor who suggested an x-ray when he could no longer help me.

The x-ray showed there was no cartilage on the right side so I was asked by the surgeon if I wanted a new hip. I was given at least 2 minutes to decide. 😯
You can always cancel it but I would insist if you feel you can.

The waiting time went quite quickly but I wasn't in severe pain.

Or use any savings and have it done privately. I don't know how old you are but I feel it's important to be mobile as long as possible and time is not on our side.

I have both hips replaced, I wonder if you made clear how your hip is on your worst day? I wasn’t using a walking aid when I saw the consultants but I hobbled daily and it seemed that when I said my whole life is affected as it’s keeping me awake at night and I’m really unfit to either drive and do my job as I’m so tired in the morning it seemed to make the decision. I still had to wait but at least there was hope. I wish you well I was prescribed Naproxen with stomach protector and very low dose Amitriptyline for the pain while I waited.