"Partial knee replacement surgery"

We (my husband and I) arrived at the Ambulatory Care Department early in the morning, as required, and I was quickly taken through to a ‘holding’ area where my blood pressure was taken and my details confirmed. I was visited by the surgeon doing my operation, his registrar and the anesthetist, all of whom explained what was going to happen and answered my questions. This served to calm my nerves as knowing what I’m going to experience is good to know or at least it is for me!

I was sitting reading for some time before a nurse noticed that I had not been asked to change into a hospital gown. This was done just in time before a porter arrived to take my down for the surgery. On reflection, I feel that it would have been helpful for the nurse, who had prepped me earlier, had popped in from time to time to find out if there was anything I needed.

The porter took me to a pre theatre room where the anesthetist and his assistants explained clearly what they were doing at each stage of the process which I found reassuring. The surgeon arrived and prepped my leg and I don’t remember a thing after that until I came round in recovery where I had a very sweet nurse who looked after all my needs.

I was taken to the Day Surgery Unit in the Ambulatory Care Department and looked after thoroughly. The nurses there were amazing – nothing was to much trouble for them. They were caring, professional and attentive.

My surgeon, Mr Alan Howison, visited me there with his registrar to check my progress.

On the Saturday a physiotherapist came to see me. She was most patient as I failed to even lift my leg off the bed. However, with her help, by the end of the day I had met her criteria for discharge.

On Saturday afternoon I was taken for x-ray and later on that day an on-call consultant, My Sayed, visited me to tell me that all looked good with my knee. So, at this point in the day the only remaining thing getting in the way of my being able to go home was that the pharmacy had not yet provided my medication. There did seem to be a bit of a blockage as the medication for about 8 people on my ward arrived at the same time late Saturday afternoon.

On discharge I was given a sheet to remind me of things to do post discharge. For example, to continue with my physiotherapy exercises, to continue to wear anti embolic stockings. On this sheet was a number for the Arthroplasty Team to use for any post discharge concerns.

I was discharged on the Saturday and on the following Tuesday I realised that I had no information about the removal of the staples in my knee and so I ‘phoned this Arthroplasty Team number. I was advised that a District Nurse would come out to see me between 12 and 14 days post op. On asking if I would be contacted to be given a day and time, I was told that the expectation was that I would be at home whenever the District Nurse arrived. I was flabbergasted at this arrangement. I’m aware that it’s important to rest post op but also that it’s important to start using my knee as soon as I can. So, whilst I can only go out with the aid of my husband or a friend, there will be times when I’m not at home and so an avoidable outcome of this arrangement could quite easily be that a District Nurse arrives at my door but, given that the fact that I don’t know when they are coming, may well not find me at home.

With this unnecessary possibility in mind, I made contact with my GP and discovered that the District Nurses visit the surgery twice a week and I then had an appointed time for the staples to be removed – much more convenient. It did seem to me that the system to attend patients without telling the patient that they were coming was one designed for the staff and not the patients. It was the three day span that frustrated me. That is, that they turn up on any of those 3 days to meet the need for the staples to be removed 12 to 14 days post op.

I met with an arthroplasty nurse who was incredibly positive and helpful answering all my questions about what I could and couldn't do going forward.  She was very reassuring.

All in all my experience of partial knee surgery at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.  However, I have tried to explain the areas where I felt there was room for improvement in this story.

I'd more than happy to speak with anyone from the hospital who might want me to clarify anything I have included in this script.