It's a long ne apologies.
I had an appointment with an orthopedic consultant today to discuss chronic hip pain and the possibility of a replacement.
I had my left hip replaced 11 years ago, I was born with a dislocated hip and had an operation when I was a baby to put it back in place, that was successful.
I know my right hip is getting worse despite the x rays showing no further change from 10 years ago. I have constant pain in the joint, sleep disruption, walking is difficult, I am struggling to sit on the loo after walking any distance and walking up a kerb height leading with my right leg is too painful now.
Today, he introduced himself and started off with, I've received your GP letter about your right hip, what's the problem! So I explain, I tell him it is getting to the same pain stage that I was at before the left was done. He said so you remember that pain? From how long ago? I said 11 years. He replied in a dismissive tone that he cannot remember last week never mind 11 years ago! I was too slow for a sharp response but I did reply that I remember that pain and bone on bone when the cartilage is gone isn't forgettable.
He states that the x rays have no change from 10 years ago and he cannot just give out a hip replacement without evidence of it deteriorating. He said my left hip was done because it was deformed. I said nothing but I was under the impression it was due to arthritis and wear and tear contributed by the dislocated hip, anyway it doesn't matter.
He asks me to get on the exam table, asks exactly where the pain is, and manoeuvres my right leg various ways. When I show pain at certain movements he says okay we need to book an MRI to see what's going on with the cartilage in the hip.
After we sat down again he asked what pain meds I take, I told him paracetamol and that I had been taken off opioid meds and was given Nefopam when my pain was bad, also Naproxen. He said good. He did seemed a tad better towards me I suppose, he said he would organise the MRI, and would see me back at the clinic when it was back.
I thanked him for his time and seeing me today, I said I dont want to waste your time but I am only 53 and need to stay active. He said okay see you back when you've had the MRI and we will take it from there.
I just feel a bit rubbish tbh, I suffer with arthritis in most of my joints and I am not a stupid person, I wouldn't ask for a big op for a little bit of pain. I dont know what I want from posting, maybe just support and yep we've been there. It is making me not want to see him again.