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"I just wanted to go home"

About: North Devon District Hospital / Trauma and orthopaedics

(as the patient),

Don't take things for granted I believe is the saying, I'm 2 weeks post op from my 2nd knee the right one this time, and can say I haven't coped as well as the first time.

Firstly I was frightened getting anaesthetic, having been painfully pricked at least 4 times and when they laid me down afterwards I was aware of the of the pain blocker being high up in chest effecting my ability to breath. All I remember after this was a oxygen mask applied and possibly falling asleep.

After the op I spent time in recovery aware of the fact they were concerned with my oxygen levels as were the staff when I arrived back on the ward, my pain levels were very high this time probably another problem from the botch up pain blocker I received, my pain management was very poor and got fed up for asking for them, I've had stronger.

I just wanted to go home at this point I pushed myself through the physio challenges so as to be seen fit to go home, my concerns still carried on at home with pain, stiffness, and and swelling, recently I've had my anchor knots cut (which are the ends of external stitches) the general mess and condition of the scar raised highbrows of the medical staff who carried out the cleaning and redressing of the area, I haven't participated in many of my exercises of yet as opposed to last time and I was walking and exercising, no bother by now, I'm living in hope everything will sort itself out eventually and it will be as successful as my left knee...

Treatment

Treatment


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Responses

Response from Lisa Townsend, Patient Experience Feedback Lead, Patient Experience Team, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 months ago
Lisa Townsend
Patient Experience Feedback Lead, Patient Experience Team,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

I take patient feedback and work with all departments at Royal Devon University Hospital NHS Trust to implement service change and improve the patient experience.

Submitted on 11/08/2025 at 13:25
Published on Care Opinion at 13:25


picture of Lisa Townsend

Dear Mandy. 12

Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback and apologies for the delayed response. I am sorry to hear that you found this admission more difficult to cope with than your previous.

I would like to make sure that your feedback reaches the ward it was intended for and I am not able to identify the ward from the information provided. If you are able to pop back and let us know the details I will ensure this is shared with the teams involved.

Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch.

Kind regards

Lisa

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Mandy. 12 (the patient)

I was on the Jubilee ward, my treatment is still very much ongoing, my wound hasn't healed properly, I'm having to have it looked at and cleaned once a week at my Gps I've also broke out in hives that no one seems to know why I'm in my 3rd week of suffering this no medication has made it any better, it's a far cry from my last op on my left knee I've never been so depressed...

Response from Lisa Townsend, Patient Experience Feedback Lead, Patient Experience Team, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 months ago
Lisa Townsend
Patient Experience Feedback Lead, Patient Experience Team,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

I take patient feedback and work with all departments at Royal Devon University Hospital NHS Trust to implement service change and improve the patient experience.

Submitted on 12/08/2025 at 10:39
Published on Care Opinion at 10:39


picture of Lisa Townsend

Dear Mandy.12

Thank you for the update, I will ensure that your feedback reaches the correct team. I do hope you recover soon.

Kind regards

Lisa

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Mandy. 12 (the patient)

Thank you, so do I. It's been a very tiring journey so far...

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