"I really appreciate care that I've had"

I am fairly young - in my late 40s - but recently had a total left hip replacement, just 8 months after surgery on same hip at Gartnaval.

I was admitted at 7am but there was a delay due to part (longer stem) being sent from another hospital (not sure why different part needed?) but nurses looked after me very well until operation around noon. The surgeon and anaesthetist met and reassured me prior to op too and I felt at ease.

After operation unfortunately I was in a lot of pain and had very low blood pressure too. I passed out on my first time out of my bed in evening but the nurses were quick to assist my wife who was struggling to stabilise me. I was monitored regularly after this, and felt the staff were looking after me despite other patients needing a bit of attention too. 

I was concerned finding out I had Heterotopic Ossification from the locum surgeon who checked my x-ray the following day (I don't have much information yet on what this means and have tried to follow up myself after discharge).

The care continued to be very good from nurses on ward 4c, as well as the physiotherapist who worked with me the day after surgery and was very helpful with a great approach.

My blood pressure continued to be fairly low. I was asked if I wanted to go home the day after surgery but I didn't feel well or ready for this, I found it hard to mobilise from bed and felt a bit sick. After another night I was still sore but was deemed improved enough for discharge as my BP increased a little. The staff made sure I had meds (including some that had to be sent in from elsewhere for treating the ossification). 

The only bad experience was that the pain management didn't work particularly well on discharge, despite taking care to get into the car the journey home was terrible, about 40 minutes travel. When home I actually found the pain was as bad as anything I've ever experienced in my life (normally cope well with pain). I honestly didn't think I could cope and thought I might need sedated, but intensity of pain subsided with stronger painkillers after an hour. If I'd known how bad this would be l would not have wanted to make the journey home so soon, I think I wasn't ready perhaps as I continued to be in a lot pain for a few days.

Overall the ward staff and surgical team were excellent, despite my negative experience after discharge I was very happy with the care in the hospital, which was attentive and professional.

The post-op discovery of HO still needs explanation, and to know what outcome might be. Nothing was noted on discharge about this, but my GP has advised it is on surgery notes, only the consultant can inform me. I am on extra medication for treatment but don't know much about HO and had to look up condition online! I have called consultant's secretary a few times a week apart so hopefully I get this information soon and will it be checked and monitored? 

I was very glad to get the operation after initial referral to orthopedics from my GP in 2017 (and Arthroscopy in 2024), and hope I recover successfully as would like to be very active again. There is just a bit of concern post surgery on HO and I am worried about this. The surgery and hospital care was very good on both surgeries I have had.

Outwith hospital and 2 weeks after surgery I had to arrange clips to be removed, due to issues with staff cover I had to try three different local treatment rooms and then get a referral. The nurse discovered it was internally stitched and a great job. However it was noted as clips to be removed on discharge letter! I was glad not to need these removed but I could have saved an NHS appointment if I had known that no work was needed.

Thanks for looking after me in hospital. The pain was a bit more than expected and recovery at home has had ups and downs but is definitely heading in right direction. Once I get response about the complication it will help with a bit of stress, but I really appreciate care that I've had. It has been a long journey!