"Poor experience with total knee replacement"

Had Total Knee Replacement at this hospital.  I never once saw the surgeon only the registrar.  Recovering after surgery was dreadful.  Nurses run off their feet and i dont feel that they have time to do what they are trained to do which is nurse!  Was in for 5 days and i was in so so much pain, that i could not sleep, or eat and was so exhausted i was losing my voice. After a couple of days the ward was starting to fill with people from A&E. People with viral infection, colds and stomach bugs. The patient in the next bed was on their phone from 6am every morning discussing the people in the ward loudly.  After yet another sleepless night and even after sobbing and telling the night nurse at midnight that i was in dreadful pain and could i have some pain relief.  Only to be told that i had had my quota! I said that i could not stand the pain anymore and was told to go back to bed and that they would see if they could give me anything. 2 Hours later i went to the nurse sobbing again and said i really couldnt cope anymore.  The nurse finally gave me paracetemol.  Paracetemol.  When the main nurse came on the next morning they saw how distressed i was and asked what was wrong, so i told them.  They were disgusted and told me i could have been given 2 other things that either would have helped and so gave me 'Oromorph'.  The nurse was shocked.  That night the same nurse came on duty again.  Same again. By the morning i had had enough and said i was signing myself out.  They discharged me and the things they had to check were ok before i could be discharged, they said were fine. No, they were not. 

My Doctor when i got home sorted out my pain control for me thank goodness. 

Only weeks later i started having a huge lump that was oozing on my knee that i had done. My doctor sent me to A&E as an urgent case as they thought the implant was infected. 7 hours later i was sent home none the wiser. I was crossed off the list twice, and xray dept left me sitting there. I think they forgot about me. My Doctor referred me back to my surgeon who by the way I had not seen at all till this day not even on the ward. The doctor stayed in the doorway and shouted at me for daring to come back and wasting his time.  2 and half years later i am having my knee done again.  I had an allergic reaction to everything used in the implant. Metal, Cement and Glue and my implant had come away! I feel like I have been mode to needlessly suffer for two and a half years  I am relieved that i now have a caring, professional Consultant and Surgeon.