Refusing an operation

[whichwaytohome]

I had an operation with a lot of metalwork put in last year. The consultant said it was 50/50 chance of it resolving the pain issue, but he didn't want to do the more radical option (which would have cured the pain), as it would be hard to recover from and may cause more issues down the line. My issue was originally a different joint, which is still bad, but he just did the one that he thought was worse and just "wait and see."

I've not seen the consultant since, just registrars. I've complained that the pain has not resolved but moved to different areas. It's also remodelled the limb, leaving me with a very high arch, that is causing my toes to claw (I've already got high arches, but this one is now so high that only the outer part of my foot touches the ground, and my toes have to claw to grab the floor.

I've had a scan and they've suggested that I use an orthotic device for 6 months, then have the metalwork out if it's not any better.

The consultant then came in, looked and felt me, then said I have to have the metalwork out next month.

I really would rather wait. There is no guarantee this will work and still my malunion and initial joint problem will need to be addressed in the future.

Can I delay it? I've got a staph infection in my nose, which is proving impossible to shift, despite antibiotics, plus I'm due to go to Complex Needs very soon and I just feel depressed about it.

I wasn't even asked, just told this was happening.

I know it sounds silly, but I wish I'd seen and spoken to consultant, rather than just being told that I'm having an op next month without any consultation

You can refuse any treatment you don't want.

@ChateauDuMont thank you. I never had time to agree or disagree, was just told then told to go. Now they've sent me an appointment for pre-op the day after Boxing Day, when I just want to forget it. Last year was ruined due to having to recover and not being allowed to walk.

If you’ve got an active staph infection they’d quite likely want to wait until that’s treated before interfering with bone (unless there’s a chance the metal work’s infected) - probably worth mentioning it to them if it’s a new thing since the last appointment.

of course you can refuse if you want. but just be mindful that given the state of the NHS if further on down the line, you want to have it - you may have to wait a long long time. very poor communication from the team,

@therealcookiemonster I know it would be a long time, I just haven't been told why they're suggesting it. It seems like I'm a problem to be solved.

Before the first op the surgeon told me it may not work. He wanted to do an osteotomy on my tibial malunion and fix the ankle too, but just before surgery changed his mind, as it would be too much to recover from. He did this, knowing it may not cure the problem. Since then I've not seen him, but everyone I've seen has expected me to be 100% cured. When I did see him very briefly the other day, he asked me where the pain was now (in a tone that suggested I was annoying him), but didn't really listen to me. It's like the ankle and malunion have been cured, even though they've not been touched.

I've only been told the risks (damage to muscle, soft tissue, bone, infection, etc), but none of the benefits. It "may or may not" help with the pain. I haven't been told what the scan shows.

My reluctance is that it just seems doing surgery in case it works, not a real plan, and without any explanation of why it's being done.

I understand that I may be unreasonable here (probably am), but I do not feel comfortable having surgery with no real idea of why it's being done.

@Greybeardy They've not mentioned the metalwork is infected, but I've not seen any x rays or scans either, I just see them in a little room with a bed. No paperwork with them or computer or anything. So I doubt they think it's infected. If it was surely they'd say? The consultant just told the registrar he was taking it out next month, he didn't say anything to me, and no one told me why they want to do it.