"Delay in treatment leading to more issues with health"

I tore my meniscus before Christmas 2022.

Did not know this at time, thought strain. Struggled to weight bear and in a lot of pain.

Saw GP who suspected tear. Referred to hospital. Did not get an appointment for 8 months. In this time had to take a lot of pain meds, was off work as could not walk or drive, my boss threatened my job, had to have time off sick. Had to keep seeing GP re pain and not functioning, my wellbeing was suffering as was my mental health.

When saw consultant in hospital it was in fracture clinic, no one explained the process, I had to have xrays, and waited over 2 hours after my appointment.

There were 3 staff plus the consultant in the room.

The consultant sat with their back to me whilst asking why I was there.

They were argumentative and basically told me that my knee was due to being overweight and that I needed to lose weight and I would be fine.  They scoffed at me and told me that I was not having a new knee. All I wanted was to walk again so I could be back at work and walk my dog. They eventually broke me, I cried and walked out. Walk of shame through crowded corridors.

I had to make a complaint as I had a bad knee and no treatment plan.

I eventually got another appointment with a different consultant who injected my knee with a steroid injection. This was in the December one year after the initial injury. The injection worked well for the pain. I was given a follow up appointment for 6 months and saw a junior doctor in July. I was told if things OK in few months would be offered knee orthoscopy to clean knee out, too young for knee replacement.

October telephone review and frustrated as felt being fobbed off again. Too young for surgery. Can only have 3 steroid injections per year. Also have left knee and hip issue. Not offered knee clear out, told to keep losing weight but don't do too much activity as causes knee pain - total contradiction in conversation. Felt again had to argue and fight for treatment. Only just detoxing off pain meds which has also impacted on my health.

So next appointment will be 2 years after initial injury and I am still trying to get it sorted. Waste of time. Why can the problem not be fixed first time instead of messing patients about and creating more problems such as worsening arthritis in the knee due to inadequate treatment. Patients need treating as individuals and not stats and I feel they shouldn't delay treatments to save money. If this happens in the future will just turn up at A&E to get quicker outcome. System is broken.