Orthopaedic Operations with other complications including Restless legs.

[Lindy14]

Do you know of any facility where I could discuss my situation with someone knowledgeable about orthopaedic surgery, as I have several conditions. I have RLS, and also epilepsy, which I think might cause problems.

I had a knee replacement but had a bout of kicking, ripping out the stitches. This caused problems and after 18 months I'm still hobbling around with a stick to help my balance. A surgeon has said that he can help me, but I don't want to have the same thing happen again.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Lindy14

[Hidden]

Hi Lindy, there's not realy any facility on this site for that. There may be some members who've had a similar experience who might respond if they happen to see your post.

I can't point you to a facility myself.

I would say thst you should have a pre-operative assessment and you could raise yoir concerns when you attend that.

If your surgery is going to raise any special issues, then the anaesthetist may also see you on the day. If not you could ask to talk to a member of the surgical team, if needs be.

The solution will depend partly.on what medications you take normally for your RLS, epilepsy or other health conditions.

Knee replacement surgery, apart from whilst you're actually under anaesthetic doesn't usually prevent you from taking your normal.medications. You will take all your medications in hospital with you.

When I last had surgery I took my RLS meds with me and refused to hand them over to make sure I didn't miss a dose.

If you don't take any medication for RLS then I suggest you try to get some prescribed. Some epilepsy medications also relieve RLS, My medication does both.

If you do take RLS medication then, if it's not completely working then you be better to have a medication review and get your RLS under control.

I hope this helps a little.

[Lindy14 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manerva,

Thanks for replying. Some of your suggestions are useful. they give me a bit more confidence to "stick" with the current plant. I must admit, most of the Orthopaedic surgeons who've given opinions about my knee have just given comments like: "It's very complicated and I wouldn't advise you touching it". It's quite soul destroying when all they suggest treatments like fusing the upper and lower leg together! I think my look of horror after their suggestions has them stumbling over words to say they wouldn't do that, or "That would be very drastic, but it is possible".

But this one surgeon insists that he could help me. He's done several tests including CT, MRI and Ultra Sound. I did feel tempted to follow through, but after one of the surgeons said he wouldn't "touch me with a barge pole" as did a couple of others, but now I'm confused as to whether to get it done. These doctors don't seem to be able to appreciate what us patients are going through, lacking any empathy about the issues concern the complications of having RLS.

Still enough of my moans.

Once again, thanks for your ideas,

Lindy14

[Hidden in reply to Lindy14]

Making these decisions, to have surgery or not, what other treatment options there, medications to take, their side effects and risks is about judging what's going to bring you the best quality of life you can have for the best length of time.

Part of that is balancing off the short against the long term and part of it is about your mental well being as much as the physica!.

It's not just RLS where health professionals fail to have an insight into the patient's perspective, despite their knowledge and expertise, or lack of it. It's quite pronounced in relation to cancer services, for example.