"Trapped in Pain"

After years of struggling with knee pain, in July 2022 I was hopeful that knee replacement surgery would bring me the relief I desperately needed. I went into the surgery with the expectation that, after a period of recovery, I would regain my full mobility and live without the pain that had plagued me for so long. Unfortunately, my experience has been far from what I had hoped for.

From the very beginning, something didn't feel right. Instead of the gradual improvement I was told to expect, my pain was worse than before the surgery. I felt a disturbing clicking sensation in my knee, and it never felt fully secure - like it would dislocate at any moment. Walking became a challenge, and I developed a limp and subsequent hip pain which has only added to my overall pain and discomfort.

I voiced my concerns to the surgical team, but each time, I was met with the same response: "It's just part of the recovery." But deep down, I knew something was wrong. This wasn’t the normal recovery process; this was something else entirely.

Frustrated and desperate for answers, I reached out to the arthroplasty nurse, who, thankfully, took my concerns seriously. She agreed that my knee wasn't functioning as it should and referred me back to the surgeon. When I finally saw the surgeon, his attitude was rude and dismissive, and I left the appointment feeling unheard and dejected. I knew I needed a second opinion.

Seeking out another surgeon was one of the best decisions I've made during this ordeal. The second surgeon listened to me, examined my knee, and quickly identified the problem. In his opinion, he believed that the specific joint used in my initial surgery was not suitable for my condition, which explained the persistent pain, instability, and clicking. He assured me that a revision surgery would be necessary and promised to perform it as soon as possible, given the error that had occurred.

That was nearly a year ago, and I am still waiting for the revision surgery. The delay has been agonizing, both physically and mentally. Living with the constant pain, discomfort, and the fear that my knee would dislocate at any moment has taken a toll on my mental health. I am deeply disappointed in the care I have received from NHS Forth Valley.

Throughout this time, I have reached out to the staff handling waiting times countless times, desperately seeking an update. Each time, I’m told it will be just a few more months. It’s a frustrating cycle of hope followed by disappointment. I had my pre-op at the end of June, which gave me hope that my surgery was imminent, only to be told again today that it will still be a few more months. I’ve now been informed that I will likely need another pre-op arranged. What is going on? I am so sick of waiting.

Every day is a struggle, and my faith in the healthcare system has been deeply shaken. I'm just in my late 50's, and with plans to enjoy my life and retirement, I never anticipated that this nightmare would leave me in even worse pain than before the surgery. If I had known, I would have never agreed to the procedure in the first place. All I want now is to live without pain and fear, but unfortunately, that goal still feels far out of reach.