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"Going round in circles"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital NHS Forth Valley

(as the patient),

I have been suffering from hip pain for a while now, and recently by chance discovered that as a baby I had bilateral congenital hip dysplasia. Although this was deemed clear I had knee symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence and the symptoms I am suffering now are very similar to those of adult hip dysplasia (leg lengths different, hip popping and feeling out of joint, deep groin pain, out toeing etc)

So I went to my GP, was referred for an X Ray. All that you get is one sentence on a piece of paper saying "joints and bone structures normal". Having sought the advice of the international hip dysplasia institute they advised me that an orthopaedic doctor rather than a radiologist should be reading it, as dysplasia is often missed if not examined by experts. My GP was very dismissive of this, even finger underlining the words "consultant radiologist". I've been told I have to go through the legal department to get my X Rays as "we don't know what you are going to do with them". The X Ray department told me physio could show me my X Ray and refer me back in to orthopaedics? The lady was very helpful and understanding but this all feels like running round in circles. I just want to speak to someone directly who can tell me that they are aware of dysplasia and how to spot it and that I do or don't have it.

As a by product of my hip pain my left leg is immensely unstable and buckling due to sciatica and I've had to buy my own walking stick which may or may not be the right height for me, purely so I can safely walk outside. Doctors tell me I need to exercise but I walk 3 miles a day despite the pain in my hips. I used to do fitness regimes but my groin pain is too intense. I just feel let down by the system.

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Responses

Response from Pauline Donnelly, Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing, NHS Forth Valley 8 years ago
Pauline Donnelly
Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing,
NHS Forth Valley
Submitted on 08/11/2016 at 17:27
Published on Care Opinion at 17:33


picture of Pauline Donnelly

Dear Dolly 2016

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch and leaving feedback about your experience. First of all I would like to say how sorry I was to hear of the difficult time you have been having, I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating this experience has been for you.

To help us try and get the answers that you are looking for I was wondering if you would give us the opportunity to investigate further. Can I ask you to get in touch with Mark Stephen, Patient Relations Department, NHS Forth Valley. 01324 566660. Alternatively you can email me your details and we will get in touch with you, my email address is p.marland@nhs.net

Again please accept my most sincere apologies for your experience, I hope to hear from you soon.

Kindest regards

Pauline Marland

Person Centered Patient Experience Coordinator

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