Orthopaedic referral not until 16 march

[Kemer2018]

I posted about my DDs foot in December.
She has collapsed arches, flat feet and an extra lump/bone on her right inner ankle.
As a result, walking or standing for a while is v. Painful for her.
She was x rayed on Friday and the G.P sent the self referral letter to me on Monday.
I've made the orthopaedic app. But the earliest app. is mid March.
She's got to walk to school, do p.e, use stairs for another 3 months minimum and she and I don't think she's got it in her.
She's been on painkillers after school and has already collapsed on the school stairs when her right leg collapsed on her.
I'm ordering an ankle tube support for her as she restarts school on Monday. I'm so worried. I don't know what to do or how else to help.
On a separate note, I'm struggling to cope as I can't take her out much because of the pain so I'm going mad being stuck indoors, no exercise or fresh air.
I'm back to work Monday and i have to walk or bike in as no affordable parking at or near work.

That's about standard for a routine NHS referral though if the collapse is new then worth going back to the GP and see if they can do more urgently. You could ring them and make it clear that you'll come at short notice if they get a cancellation. A useful investment would be a couple of private physio sessions as they'll give you some exercises that you can be going on with while you're waiting. Also do you have access to more than one NHS Trust locally? Ring them all and find out their wait, one may be shorter than another.

Agree to find private physio who can make some suggestions. Ours has suggested aircast, types of trainers, as well as the usual exercises. They might also be willing to write to the school requesting that they let her wear trainers all day which might be more supportive. They can also advise if she needs to avoid certain exercises. NHS physio wait often isn't too long or for orthotics all of which your GP can order while waiting for the orthopaedic appointment.

or for orthotics all of which your GP can order while waiting for the orthopaedic appointment

It would be very unusual for a GP to be able to access orthotics - they are always done via physio or orthopaedics

Orthotics appointment won't come quicker than her consult because orthotics wont make her anything till her consultation unless you go private for orthotics. This is the 12 week window for appointments sadly it is the norm I would get her excused from PE till she is seen poor kid doesn't need to be running about on a sore foot.

Our GP was able to, guess it varies from place to place.

You will need to contact her school if she can't manage stairs they need to come up with a plan.

Even if the gp referred the wait time could be just as long.

When i booked the app. I checked for other trusts...as she is a child there's only one choice.
I will write to the school asking that she's excused from P.E.
She really enjoys school and used to enjoy sports but can't pursue due to the pain. She gets so frustrated, it's sad to see.
I've told her this is the year they fix her foot and when i told her the date she said i don't even know if I'll be walking at all by then

Very much the norm-in fact quite quick for paediatric orthopaedics-they are in such a mess everywhere.
You could book a private consultation so that you have had her assessed and a plan of action before then-you won’t jump the NHS queue but you will have a plan and if it’s physio then your GP can get sorting that whilst you wait.

I work in a GP surgery and it does sound standard, I've seen worse wait times.

From a practical stance (even before pulling her straight out of p.e) I would say these would be your best options imo

•Pay for private orthopaedics appointment or see if anybody in your family has private healthcare you can add her onto

•Pay for private physio

•Call your GP (they will be open today) and ask for an orthotics referral. It might well come back quicker depending on where you are. They should be able to properly fit insoles/supports in the meantime

•Call the school and have a proper chat. When you go to the gym as an adult with any kind of problem like this classes and exercises are adapted so long as the instructors know what's going on. They give everybody an exercise but say for some of the exercises ask the person to do a safer option instead. They may be happy to include her in p.e but differentiate the lesson to her needs which would be better than missing out completely.

I got an orthotics from my podiadrist they have an orthotics person attached to the practice maybe you could look around for similar . I only went privatebecause I was waiting so long.

or see if anybody in your family has private healthcare you can add her onto

that'll be a pre-existing condition - you can't add her to insurance for something she already has!

Sorry op, but my dd was referred for ent appointment due to constant ear infections, she is on a daily antibiotic to keep her well because the appointment is in one week but we waited over 6 months.
My point is I don't think 3 months is too bad.

My 3yr old DD was referred to peads due to joint pain in Aug we had her appointment in Dec and the follow up is June.
When the GP did the original referral she said it could be 3-4 months but if anything worsened to go back to her and she would try to speed things up.
Worth going back to GP or maybe call the department she's seeing and ask if there are any cancellations.

Definitely talk to the school, my older DD had an issue with the growth plates in her feet and needed to be on reduced activities, no PE or running around at play time, so the school arranged for her to stay in with friends taking it in turns to stay with her.

If going out is very restricted the local red Cross might have a small wheelchair that you could borrow, not ideal but gives you the option of getting out of the house.
Luckily I still had the younger DD's buggy handy for my 8yr old when her feet were particularly painful.

Fingers crossed you get an earlier appointment or find something that makes it bearable in the meantime