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"Hip pain and loose hip joint"

About: Poole General Hospital / Trauma and orthopaedics Royal Bournemouth General Hospital / Trauma and orthopaedics

(as the patient),

My hip was giving way regularly so I called my GP and was sent for an X-ray all good so far. GP called me back 2 weeks later and said X Ray not good. So I got an appointment with an Orthopeadic surgeon. This should have sorted out the problem. 6 weeks later I attended clinic. I was told my hip will not come out and is only medium lay bad. They said they will inject with steroids. And this will cure the problem. Later that night my hip came out again and I fell breaking the opposite foot. Local nurse led drop in clinic 111 Xrayed and gave me a boot and crutches 5 weeks later the appointment for hip block came through. Every one of the 8 patients waiting had been told that their hip was mediumly bad and they should exercise and lose weight. None of us were particularly gross. The injection went badly I watched on screen as the die and steroid entered one side of the hip and immediately left the hip via my groin. I was rolling in agony. After several weeks of severe pain during which time all of my joints became loose my back went and my knee dislocated. I went for a follow up appointment. The registrar entered the room saying that my hip is knackered caput, ruined, no good, he laughed.  He suspected that the injection did no good at all and suspected that I can't even walk 100 yards. True. He told me I need a hip replacement. Great now we are getting somewhere.  He also thought I  should be out of that boot by now, but it is still bruised, and sore. Different hospital. Different care. I week later a staff member pronounces my foot healed. From the other side of the room. 4 weeks later GP still hadn't received the letter for the hip replacement so she writes to the consultant. I am told I need metal studies as I have some allergies but no one knows how to organise these. 2 months passes and no reply to my GPs letters so I ring the Consultant's secretary who says the nurse will be in touch. 2 weeks more Nurse told me I need metal studies. She then told me after these are completed I need my GP to refer me to an Orthopeadic surgeon.

I am now unable to stand without crutches my sacroiliac joint is now unstable my hip comes out repeatedly my knee joint is also being pulled out I have bought a back support and knee brace. I take a variety of pain killers which have to be changed regularly because they fight with my heart medication and asthma medication. No one has realised this except me. I can read a web site. My foot is still bruised incidentally, but seeing as I am on crutches. This is a minor problem 9 months in I am no where nearer a waiting list. 

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Responses

Response from James Rowden, Patient Engagement and Clinical Liaison, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 7 years ago
James Rowden
Patient Engagement and Clinical Liaison,
The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 05/01/2017 at 13:11
Published on Care Opinion at 16:19


Dear Penguin 51

We are very sorry to hear that you have had a less than satisfactory experience of our Orthopedic Service. We strive to improve the patient experience and greatly appreciate the time you have spent expressing your worries and concerns with us.

It is very difficult to respond to your specific concerns without accessing your personal record and it does appear that your care was undertaken by more than one health care provider in our locality.

We would really like to help resolve this for you. Please contact us directly via our Patient Advice and Liaison Service on pals@rbch.nhs.uk or telephone direct on 01202 704886 so we can look at your Health Record and ensure that your planned surgery is able to go ahead at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely

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Update posted by Penguin51 (the patient)

I am aware of PALs but I would rather not go down that route yet. I now have an appointment at Christchurch for metal studies in Mid January, that should have been arranged in August. This is partly down to my GP who didn't know how to arrange these but also several letters which were left unanswered and some staff couldn't work out what to do about it. It was only when I prompted that something actually happened! Incidentally my G P didn't receive a letter from the clinic for a month. Now I am aware of the 18 week rule and the methods that can be used to stop the clock. The problem seems to be a reluctance to set the clock in motion to start with. I am no nearer to an actual treatment that works. I have no doubt we have a super surgeon who I have no wish to antagonise. I have watched him on line as he works at the Nuffield as well. Perhaps RBH could pay him for a few more hours. If beds are a problem stop closing them. Rehab beds at both St Leonards and Christchurch were at full capacity 10 years ago, and we all know needs are growing.

Response from Poole General Hospital 7 years ago
Poole General Hospital
Submitted on 23/01/2017 at 16:33
Published on nhs.uk on 24/01/2017 at 01:36


I am extremely sorry to hear of the rocky road that you have so far travelled with your hip, particularly as you still don't seem to have a date for your surgery.

As I don't know your identity, I can't tell whether you are waiting for an operation at Poole or Bournemouth Hospital.

I am assuming that it is Bournemouth who should be organising this as all the planned surgery is done there.

If you need help, you can contact their Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01202 704886.

If it is Poole Hospital that you need to contact, you can reach us on 01202 448499.

Please do contact us if your treatment is booked for Poole.

Alternatively you can email us at PALS@poole.nhs.uk.

I hope you get your operation very soon and that you will soon be back on your feet and pain-free.

Kind regards,

Patient Experience Facilitator, Surgical Serices, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

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Update posted by Penguin51 (the patient)

Metal studies were completed last week and were deemed to be negative. I have not seen the written response but some initial reaction did happen while substances were in place. Apparently I was fully recovered 2 days after removal. Although I said nothing to consultant at the time I still don't see why this is relavant as the hip prosthesis will not be removed again after 2 days. And is huge compared to the 1/2 cm swab applied to the outside of my skin. Consultant however was happy to give me written information to help with occasional urticaria in the summer months. I now wait until 30th of January to see my GP for referral. And am now unable to use crutches as overuse has inflamed an old pre-existing upper back injury. Luckily Drs surgery is only 100 yards away I will get there even if the neighbours need to take me in a wheelbarrow.

Response from James Rowden, Patient Engagement and Clinical Liaison, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 7 years ago
James Rowden
Patient Engagement and Clinical Liaison,
The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 02/02/2017 at 11:00
Published on Care Opinion at 15:45


Dear ‘Penguin51’

We are sorry to hear that you are still experiencing difficulties with your treatment plan.

As mentioned previously it is very difficult to respond to your specific concerns without accessing your personal record and contacting our Patient Advice and Liaison Service on pals@rbch.nhs.uk or telephone direct on 01202 704886 will assist us in tracking your Health Record to ensure that your planned surgery is able to go ahead as soon as possible.

Please don’t feel that contacting PALS is a negative action to take, their service is here to make sure patients can be directed to the right person in the hospital to deal with any concerns, difficulties or issues they may be experiencing in order to provide a better experience when coming to hospital.

Yours sincerely

Patient Engagement Team

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Update posted by Penguin51 (the patient)

Took the advice and spoke to you at PALS yesterday. Thanks for your help with my next appointment. I hope all goes according to plan now.

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