CHAPTER 32:

BACK TO THE OFFICE

It’s quite a few months since I last updated my blog and now I’m back in the office I have to report, on a personal basis, that my 2^nd hip replacement that I had at the beginning of January this year (2023) went slightly awry. It resulted in a catalogue of excruciating pain and weeks of discomfort. As a result, I’m sitting at my computer in the office still wearing a custom-made hip brace some 8 weeks after the original surgery, still not able to even start physiotherapy until I see the surgeon at the end of this week. I expected to have a couple of weeks off, but as with any plan, expect it to go wrong!

My new hip dislocated twice over a 2 week period resulting in: the first time, waiting 24 hours with my left leg and foot pointing outwards at a 45 degree angle, for the private hospital and surgeon to readmit me so that the hip could be manipulated back into position without having further surgery. This also resulted in me spending 5 more days in hospital, on my back, not moving, just getting constipated from all the nasty medication they kept pumping into me. I think they were just trying to keep me quiet whilst they waited on this special piece of kit that was supposed to keep the hip in place.

Unfortunately, having been released on the Monday with this contraption in place, the following Friday night whilst we were watching T.V., the hip dislocated again. Obviously, as the private hospital doesn’t have any emergency facilities I had to call 999 to ask for help as my leg and foot were once again dangling outward at a 45 degree angle. By the way, I haven’t mentioned the PAIN! It was the most excruciating that you could imagine.

Now for the positives. Yes, there are some. Within 2 hours of calling the Emergency Services I was taken by ambulance, pumped full of Morphine, into the Trauma department of the Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow. Within minutes I was given an ECG, a blood test and was whisked down to the X ray department all the while being comforted by some amazing Doctors and Nurses. Eventually, around 5 am Saturday morning they set about re-locating the hip whilst I was sedated. For those of a squeamish disposition, look away now.

The first time it dislocated it was manipulated into place whilst I was under a general anaesthetic. This time they sedated me, pretty strong stuff, because I don’t remember what they did until I woke up with my leg in the right place and virtually no pain. Now all this time, Bonnie was in the trauma room with me and she described exactly what they did to me. There were 3 people (Doctors and Nurses I presume) at my feet and 2 more at each of my shoulders. Apparently they pulled and pushed for 6 or 7 minutes until the hip popped back into place.

Having been fortunate enough to have private health-care in the past, I have to offer some advice. If you have elective surgery remember, no emergency care! The treatment I received was unbelievably good in every respect and in fact, I was back home in my own bed by 8.30 that same morning. Incredible service so thank you NHS!