Have Cape Will Travel!

I have just spent a week in the Lake District.

Travelling with a dodgy hip makes for an interesting time when going into an area of natural beauty with mountains and mud. In nature there are hills, stones, steps and not many bust stops which can make it tough to make it an enjoyable time. But we had a plan!

We had a car and a lot of tramadol. We had a small list of things we wanted to do and as it is late November in the UK the days are short. This meant we could keep our days at manageable length by trying to returning back to our holiday home before dark.

The other part of the plan was to take strong pain killers and hope I did not buy all the shiny things and also  not do too much and make sure what we did was accessible. Mr Gin said he would rather a slightly drugged me than me being in pain. I took this on board , I don’t like the feeling of being on tramadol and there was one point I felt like my brain had shrunk and I could feel a breeze  between my brain and skull, not very nice. It did mean I could walk further and we did something every day. And most of it involved some walking, generally I rested in the evening and in the mornings not too much pain to deal with! Mr Gin was a trooper and had to explain to some shop keepers as I lost track of my thought’s and found money a little tricky at time. Oddly I found dealing with my camera generally fine. I used my cane outside all the time and found most people aware off it and got out of my way which helped too.

A couple of places that deserve mention for their amazing accessibility and views as, for me, most of the views were out of my reach with the walking.  The first was  Force , an amazing water fall in the Pennines. The walk was a wide gravelled path, a little steep at the beginning that would be a challenge for wheel chairs coming back. For me it was very comfortable, and it was only at the falls I skipped the short flight if steps to the river side. The views all the way were stunning and not going down the stair did not mean I felt I was missing out!  Brilliant.

The old railway line walk in Keswick was also lovely, it was a little muddy and stout boots would be advisable. The bridges were well constructed and had anti slip bits. It is part of a bike trail to the coast there were no steps. The general feel was tranquil and well used with lots tourists and visitors using it, from bike riders, joggers, older walkers and lots of dogs using the trail. We were assured there was good coffee at the end.

We visited Beatrix Potter’s Cottage, the house is generally not open and I suspect would be very much an old building with the standard issue winding stairs and narrow doorways and tight interiors. The original cobbled path was a challenge but we did find an asphalt path which was much easier to navigate.  There were some steps into the main building but I think there was a way around this. The cottage is run by the National trust and the staff were super helpful.

Castlerigg stone circle was amazing to visit, located in a field there was a little bit of a sort ground issue and if you were on your own the self-closing gated could be a challenge. We parked right outside and just crossed the road to get in. At the entrance there was a bronze plate with the relief casting of the circle for those with vision loss. The hill was a little steep and the grass deep but I got up the hill to be greeted with the most magnificent view. Just breath taking. The circle was lovely and the view stunning. Had it been any wetter I figure the grass would be mud but certainly accessible.

A lot of the Lake District towns are old and therefore have the standard issues of steps and generally getting into places. In general we did not find many places with toilets down stairs or upstairs like you do in London. Most of the pavements were well cared for but of course there were places there was no pavement and you had to go onto the road. Most of the curbs were low and dropped in many places.

Finally the most wonderful thing was it was possible to get to parts of the lakes and drink in the views and even driving around in the car the views were stunning.

With the all the planning and work arounds we had a great time, but so will be back when I can climb some mountains. 

An entertaining nights viewing, possibly.

As part of my pack of information I received a DVD of patient information.
This is produced by the Elective Orthopaedic Centre (OCE) out in the wilds of Epsom. It is a practical video, moving through all the stages of the hospital stay and beyond.

There were lots of talking heads, generally the head of the division that they represented. They do 5000 procedures a year. And are world leaders. The wards look clean and modern and they have some strict suggestions for pre-operation, including a visit to the dentist and a flu jab. Both of these I'm going to try to chase down. They have low rates of infections for good reasons. They also want people to cut back on the booze, this could be harder than finding a NHS dentist appointment in December!

There were no real surprises, I have read all the pamphlets they sent. I suspect we are going to need a sexy toilet seat for the first little while and carry a firm cushion for the tube and other sitting experiences. I am currently looking at options to decorate the compression stockings.
It was validating to see my stick my leg out behind me yoga pose for picking up items is a "hip safe" effort. I would like to see what they make of my broken crane yoga wobbling pose I use for putting on my socks.

The patients show were generally old except for the young man in suit trousers and shirt, I think they found him by advertising for a job and filmed the interview. Mind the surgeon speaking to him was in his scrubs and frankly had such an odd head covering we thought he may have been a Dr Who extra.
I learnt there was a colour code with the nursing staff but sadly it was not traffic light colours.

They educated about correct use of crutches and canes, no martial arts involved with that, frankly, again disappointed. I am seriously thinking about inventing a walking stick martial art. They showed a walking frame too, ye olde zimmer frame, still not as cool as the walking frame I had when I was six. It I have to use one of those in the real world I will be adding flames and go faster stripes.

There was a brief moment I thought they we going to talk about post op sex, something I interested in and I am lead to believe is Mr Gin. But no, I have to ask for a separate pamphlet for that excitement. To quote a friend it is like, "GO and read the erotic fiction in the tie in book" That's so lame! When I get the pamphlet I will share it with you, I expect it to be very clinical and unimaginative.

There was no operations show, there was even a trigger notice on the cover saying this. I was disappointed, now considering if they ask to film the op, to ask for a copy. A bit gross and morbid but play to your strengths.

So, in short the DVD was entertaining but lacked any gore or adults scenes.

We have a date.

This came in the mail today. It is not a surprise to me, I had been rung to confirm it but I wanted to have it in writing.

So 2016 is the year of the Hip. The year of the S-RON! 21 of January. A Thursday.

I have a lot of pamphlets to read and a DVD, no operations show.  Boo.

If you can read the procedure line on the letter, there is a word in brackets. (Complex) I think I may have to get that tattooed somewhere.

Divorce? Cake walk.

So, the waiting game has continues and managing crunchy hip continues.
This week has been good, I got a massage and it was my first Wednesday working from home. My boss had to be told to chill about it last week, he tends to over complicate matters. The day went well, I got a lot done and felt fairly rested at the end of the day.
The massage seems to help, my whole body is being affected by crunchy, with all the muscles in both legs, back, shoulders tightening. Freeing them gives quite a bit of relief.
The managing and waiting is stressful though. I get frustrated when there is another thing I can not do. Or becomes a struggle. Or requires Tramadol to complete. And everything takes so long! Staying close to home makes life easier but for me makes it more stressful because I miss out on things I like to do.
You see those lists of the most stressful things you can do in life, moving house and divorce being so of the most.
I've done both and divorce is worse than moving house, moving house there are lots of things you can do to make it less stressful. Divorce is horrid, mine was relatively civil with my ex husband wanting to get over with more than being a cock (although that did not stop him being a cock). Due the lack of children the divorce was relatively quick about eight months.
This saga started two years ago but ramped up in the last 12 months. The last six have been tough, a strain on me and my partner. We have moved house in all this too. For me a new job triggered how bad it had got and Mr Gin also got a new job. We really don't do things by halves.

I am trying my best to handle it all and you may think I am a little insane but am finally getting divorced from my second husband. Why in this stressful time? Because a new hip will be a game changer and I would life that a clean slate and also it remove the knotty next of kin issue, Mr Gin is that person, no one else.

Onward and upwards, limping, armed with a cane and damn the stress!

Chasing my tail

The two week deadline has passed for contact from the Elective Orthopedic Centre , no word, not a peep. I'm not surprised but slightly peeved that I'm not surprised.

So, today it will be chasing, chasing the health check date and hopefully a surgery date. Making sure it is Jonathan Hutt doing the cutting. Then chasing my doctor's surgery for a prescription of Naproxen, the drug that seems to be making life much more easier to deal with.

I will also be chasing work, re working from home, as the start date is looming for that. I'm glad that work have finally realised how bad it all is. It took a while, I'm not sure if they thought I should be in tears or something. I've formed the opinion my perception of pain is quite different to the rest of the world. I blame film for this, not all of us go around screaming and wailing. I go ofph, that is it, a small sound as the pain sharpens up. The same pain that reduced me to tears six months ago. The body is amazing. I do get relief, there are times it doesn't hurt but they are getting rarer. The drugs reduce it to a dull ache and the big drug, tramadol, can make the pain go completely.

 I have been helping my women's institute branch organise an early Halloween party.  To get through the evening I took some tramadol, I wore cool boots and divided my time between sitting and standing. It was a good time and I felt great besides the bottom of the barrel feeling of dislocation. My Halloween team and Mr Gin were aware of this and were great in making sure the barrel was not too deep. The evening was a success and I felt as close to the old me as I can get. I am hoping the new hip does this without the bottom of the barrel feeling.
 
My hat goes off to those who have much more pain and manage life.

I hope today I catch my tail.

Our hero battles a panther, Hutt and official old lady status.

Panther.

My morning began with a dropped Naproxen pill and trying to convince our forever hungry black cat that the white pill was not a treat and not fall over picking the damn thing up!

Hutt.

The main job today was to get to St George hospital in Tooting, an hour and half journey of bus, tube, tube and a bit of a walk.
Finding the department was a challenge because I had no letter due to the short notice. I knew who it was to be with and after directions from a helpful volunteer I found my way to the orthopaedic and trauma department. Filled with young people with busted limbs, older people with sticks and a lot of sets of crutches, it was a busy place and I registered my presence via the electronic do hickey instead of queuing and settled in for a long wait.  Ten minutes and my name was called!  Win!
The lovely nurse informed me I had to take myself off to x-ray. I had already sent one in but they wanted more. I walked past the same volunteer and presented my slip to the lady. At that point I was told there would be a two hour wait!  I may not of worn my yoga pants that are helpful for x-rays but I did bring a book. I checked in with Mr Gin, having to leave as there was no signal and then came back in and settled down to read the book.  This was a much better plan that shopping like my first though as I got into four pages in and my name was called. I was about to introduce crunchy the hip to a trainee radiographer and have to wear a hospital gown! Joy!
The x-ray was quite uncomfortable, really odd pose in one of the shots. The radiographer did have a fun time finding bits of pelvis, as they feel peculiar due to bone graft donor sites.
Back to the delightfully named Orthopaedics and Trauma clinic. Again ready for a wait. Again, not much of one.
The person who called me was not Phillip Mitchell, he introduced himself as Mr Hutt. No a good start. It turns out Mr Hutt has a special interest in younger hip issue patients with a focus on people like myself with complications of childhood surgery.  He seemed very interested and was surprised that I had early x-rays with me.We did a history. Then moved to why I made sure I wore sensible underwear. He called for a hospital gown, I know from experience that this is a fiddly way to do these exams. Clear view of the legs and pelvis helps the doctor and I have done it so much of this, I am not fussed about gowns. So, I walked the hobbly walk. Scored my hyper-mobility, 8/9. Then the pulling, twisting and bending and making me go ouch. He also checked the scar on the side of my thigh, he said they could excise the scar and extend it.
Trousers on and a long talk about the complications that could occur. One of the more worrying ones is a possibility of doing damage to my sciatic nerve.  Apparently with the amount of surgery I have had there is a possibility the nerve is not in the normal location and could be close to the surgery site, and permanent damage done. A surprising thing is my right leg could end up longer than my left!
The short outcome is the hip is full of arthritis and there is no joint space left in the hip, it is worn out. I could either leave it and carry on or get a hip replacement.

And this is the metal:  https://www.depuysynthes.com/hcp/hip/products/qs/S-ROM-Modular-Hip-System

I have said yes to this, it is needful, I am not going to be able to live like this much longer, I want my life back.  It will take 6 to 12 months to recover. Younger hip replacement recipients struggle with recovery because of the lack of feedback through the joint. I am not sure I have had much feedback besides pain!  So, 2016 is the year of the new hip. No marathons but still good.

And it will be done by Jonathan Hutt, because as a younger surgeon, he will be around to do the left and right revision.  Also, he was not offended when I was very hesitant about him and said I could swap surgeons if I wanted. I also had a good vibe from him, he is my age and understands why I'm all about wanting my life back. And with some luck, I won't call him Jabba.

Old Lady Status.

I now own slip on Sketcher shoes, Old lady shoes but ones I can put on myself!

Thank you Mr Gin for helping me through today.

Slow, slow, lightening fast.

Friday afternoon was a touch stressful, I got a phone call from Central Booking at St Georges, offering me an appointment to see a consultant on Monday morning.

It seems that the email to PALS worked, but I had no idea it would be that short notice.

Sadly it is not with the surgeon I originally asked for but it is with Phillip Mitchell, he has written lots of papers on the 'nitty gritty' aspects of replacements, he also seems to have a reputation for taking on complicated cases and ones that other surgeons won't touch.  I am pleased with this, because although my hip is very odd and looks like it was built by a blind plaster, it is not a complete mess, nor shattered and not a result of other trauma. The other thing is that he does almost double the national average hip replacements. As long as he or Mr Bridle are doing the surgery, I will be happy.  (He is also younger and does a lot revision work and maybe still working when the left finally goes.)

I have a long list of questions, I am EXTREMELY nervous. I am doing this initial consultation solo. I am making sure I wear sensible underwear, because no doubt, sans trousers hobbling and scar looking will be needed.

*gulp*

Almost complete obliteration

The, the past month, five weeks has been tough.

No movement on a consultant appointment, three weeks off sick, read the x-ray report and played with lots of medication. Time for a catch up!

Things have been going down hill for a while, stress migraines popping up, lots of pain killers, still just paracetamol and ibuprofen and curtailing life in general. Jobs taking longer, rests are longer and I generally have felt pretty low. We had the Victoria tube line interrupted because of engineering work, this meant a longer, more crowded commute and having to use my cane a lot more than I would like. Work knew but really, the understanding of my commute and the knock on effects were not there. This was frustrating. The pain levels increased with the commute and my mood plummeted. Even when the commute went back it, the body didn't bounce back.

Exhausted, in pain and depressed, I took some sick leave, citing hip pain but also out of cope. I figured some better painkillers were needed. A phone call to the doctors to sort that out and in that conversation I was told the xray report. That there is almost complete obliteration of the joint space. Obliteration, not a word you want attached to your body.

That was a gut blow, I cried a lot, I cried at my supportive boyfriend, I cried into my cat's fur as they lay in a cat puddle, twisted together. The brave face cracked. I realised work was a part that had to be taken out of the equation. It was not helping in the physical management and I desperately needed head space.

After a week, I physically saw a doctor and he signed me off work for two weeks. Also told me to up my new medication,naproxen and prescribed tramadol. He also said chase the consultant appointment, because over a month was certainly enough waiting.

I did that, and spoke with two people at St George's who said they would call me back, but didn't, I did give them a week each to do this.

So, the third try it was recommended I contact PALS, which I did.  More on that outcome later.

I returned to work and had a meeting with my line manager and his manager, I explained the drugs and generally that sitting all day and the commute is killing me.  I have said the same thing to Occupational Health and they have backed me up with a report suggesting one day a week working from home.  This would break up the tube travel which I am finding increasingly difficult to deal with, it hurts to sit and stand on the tube and the sheer amount of people is nuts and they knock into you!  I have a meeting next week to see if the team can do that, if they can't I am not sure what to do.

One positive has been a sports massage that seemed to loose a lot of the muscles around the hip and in my back that has reduced my pain, a lot!  Swimming is still helping but currently shopping for slip on shoes! Such an old lady!

Adventures with a walking stick : a room full of foodies, all strangers

I have two walking sticks, or canes and I hate them, all they symbolise. I will admit they make life easier though but the thought of meeting a room full of strangers in my own with a cane fills me with horror. It is purely because I am not that comfortable with having to explain my fresh face and cane.
So, how did I manage to end up in a well known restaurant, at a private function full of foodies, in full goth make up, wearing my grandma's petticoats and brandishing my cane with a champagne flute talking about all things food and hip related? Sheer luck and awesome mates.

I had filled a survey on line at the behest of my brother's best mate. The group are called Social Soup. I waxed lyrical about my love of food and cooking as well being open about the Spanish red wine love affair that happens in our house. I uploaded slightly dodgy Instagram photos of my cooking and a very excited Mr Gin (my partner) out to dinner. I figured that there were bigger foodies out there with more followers that would be of interest.

When the invite to an free evening of food and wine hit my inbox, I could not click yes quick enough after reading the menu.

So, last Tuesday I rolled, well, hobbled up to Balthazar restaurant to hang out in their lovely Victorian private dinning room to try a special menu matched to Jacobs Creek wine. Not surprisingly this free wine and food fest was a marketing campaign aimed at the foodies of London. There were bloggers, Instagrammers, supper club organisers and food business owners.  And me, the lady with black lace framed cleavage and two toned hair, feeling very much out of my depth, leaning my my posh cane with silver top, like I do it all the time. Then there were bubbles, sparkling wine, a flute on comfort that I know something about. I gave up trying to being cool and elegant, asked how long we would be standing and chose to hang onto my glass like life preserver and sip the dry but slightly sweet Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV, discarding the cane to wobble gently. As the bubbles faded from the glass I was looking for a second glasses  but we were herded to the long table that seemed to hold a department store of glassware.

I sat amongst lovely chatting ladies, mainly antipodeans and considering Jacobs Creek is also Australian, along with Social Soup this made sense. As we chatted our glasses were filled with Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2013 and the phones came out, unfortunatly the light was not very good and my pictures were a little hit and miss. , The team running the event introduced themselves and began their spiel. This was my first marketing talk for a long time, and the atmosphere was lovely, my chair comfortable and there was wine, I could listen. We were called tribe leaders, I must admit at that moment I did wonder if they realised most of my Instagram followers like my Minecraft pictures, maybe not the tribe they were thinking of. They moved onto wine tasting. Certainly not my forte, I know what I like but don't know my blackberry from my gooseberry when if comes to wine but I do know I prefer my chards not too oaky. Which the reserve was, only gently oaky and went beautifully with the grilled langoustines for starter. I have never eaten these hybrid prawn lobsters before, I tend to steer away from seafood but know I don't mind prawns. I did have to watch others begin eating so I knew how to attack them. The meat was sweet and the salsa not too oniony. My only complaint was there was not enough!

Next came the red, a light Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2013, as it was quite warm, this was lovely in the warmth of the room. The next dish I was looking forward to, even though it had beetroot. (I really do not understand the Australian obsession with beetroot.) I love duck and the Hot smoked duck with cherries, beetroot and braised lettuce with a Pinot Noir and cherry sauce sounded lush. Sadly the duck was too rare for my taste and a tad chewy and lacking in smoked flavour. But the sauce was delish and even the evil beetroot was good, and I am going to learn how to braise lettuce. I got more wine and chatted some more, discussing wine, duck and hips. At some point I will have more conversation subjects besides my hip!
If an Australian company is going to showcase food, then kangaroo is a good choice. I love kangaroo and know all the cheeky places to get it, so another dish I was looking forward to, hoping the chef was not trying to cook it for the first time.  I was not disappointed, it was soft and gamey, just as it should be, rare and delightful, served with cabbage, pancetta and carrot with a sauce made from the Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2015, which again was lush. The wine full bodied and complimented the 'roo.  The only downside was the little hard pillow to boost the roo up, a gentle mound of mashed potato would have been preferable.

We were moving towards dessert, the chatter louder as the glasses were topped up and another red was poured. Red, dessert? A combination I steer away from normally. I sipped my Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and waited to see what was paired with this smooth red.  A white plate with a large sphere of dark chocolate appeared, it was filled with mint eucalyptus and blackberries. A waiter poured hot chocolate over the sphere which then did a wonderful impression of the wicked witch of the west. The eucalyptus was not strong but took the edge of the sweetness making the Cabernet Sauvignon not the bitter after taste I was expecting.  I am not sure I would do the combination again but I was impressed.

Tea and coffee came next and the wine disappeared, I would have liked one last glass or another option besides tea or coffee, drinks that I don't partake in.

All in all it was a lovely night and the Jacobs Creek team were very happy to send the wine for a dinner party to my house instead of wrangling my cane and six bottles of wine on the tube. I managed to spend the night talking to strangers with cane in hand or nearby and not feel too broken. So, I have a dinner party to hose byt the end of August, who would like to join me and Mr Gin? There is going to be medium rare duck.

Underwear

This morning I spent a bit of time choosing my outfit, making sure I wore underwear that I would not flash the world in as well as a complete lack  of zips and button on my trousers. So, wearing my yoga pants I headed off to Whipps Cross hospital to get my x-ray done!
The appointment was for 9.05pm and I limped down the very long hallway that is the spine of this Victorian rabbit warren.  It was fairly standard, although I was surprised that it was a standing x-ray.  The radiologist was impressed by my trouser choice. I had to stand pigeon toed which is not comfortable at all.  But it really was in and out!  Astoundingly quick.
I did get a copy of the x-ray but annoyingly am unable to open the image. I am going to contact the hospital about this.
Now to wait for the consultant appointment.

Another hurdle jumped.

Today was the trip to the GP.

There was a lot of discussion about my two choices, but in the end it came down to the facts that Simon Bridle specialises in hip replacements, he publishes papers on them and he has worked in Australia.  Having lived in Australia, he will be aware of our odd ways.

The GP was uneventful, I presented my x-rays, told him I wanted a referral and explained how down hill the hip has gone.  He was accommodating and requested an x-ray at my local hospital. When he mentioned he knew a hip man, but I quickly requested Mr Bridle.  At that point I expected at least a Why. And that did not happen.  All in all this has been easy.

I am very thankful for the NHS but honestly, am waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I expect the wait to see Mr Bridle will be that.

It is now down to choice.

I have two names, that I am trying to decide to go with.

I have selected them on their reactions to my email.  the ones, who just sectaries responded to, I have dismissed, ones that seemed this will easy, I have dismissed.

I have not looked at the surgeon statistics as a wise friend pointed out to me that, all of these top surgeons will have higher revision rates as they do lots of no standard replacements.  I have checked out their private practice, publications and general googling for stories, blogs etc.

First is Mr Briggs.

He is located at the Royal National Orthopaedic hospital.  His response indicates he may not have looked at the x-ray but I have emailed for clarification.  The hospital has very strict referral guidelines and I  have had three names, who practice there.  Mr Briggs has said that I can go to RNOH as I am a complex case.
At the moment, even without the slight confusion if I have had a replacement, I am leaning towards RNOH, because there are a lot of talented people there.

Second is Mr Bridle.

His response was the first and swift.  I am a gut person, and my gut liked his response. Measured and careful, without arrogance that comes through some times.  He is also adverse to resurfacing.  St Georges have a very good reputation and both Surgeons I contacted there were happy to see me and come up in top ten surgeon article from a few years back.

Both operate out of hospitals that could be difficult to get to but RNOH have a central London spot too.

So, who will I choose?  I will have to go to my GP at the end of the week armed with a name.  I really don't know.

The Joy of overdoing it.

Today I am at home, not at work.
Why?  Because everything was sore this morning and the thought of public transport filled me with horror.
Overdoing it meant, sitting in training on non office chairs for five hours.  Checking out some art for an hour and half and walking down a hill to the tube.  Frustrating because I could have done that easily 9 months ago.

But it is not all doom and gloom.  On Monday I spoke with a lady a decade older than me who had her hip replaced.  She is very happy with it.  The lead up to the replacement is a bit of a horror story and confirmed to me that starting now is a grand idea. I have been told, 12 month wait is not out of the question.

A member of the WI has also backed up my thoughts on a Stanmore surgeon, so I have contacted him.  Additionally I have two other surgeons contact me.  I am currently reading reviews and as much literature on the surgeons who have agreed to see me.

Then off to a GP, to get the consultation.  It is moving quite quickly!

The first bite

Today has been interesting.  I really did not expect an answer straight away from my email.
I had two this morning, that is 50%.

The first response was from a private clinic, headed by the women who replaced the Queen Mother's hip. Unfortunately, their recommendation was for a fellow at Stanmore, a hospital I would struggle to get an appointment with.  I have contacted them directly, and I will attempt to contact the suggestion just on the off chance.

The most positive response comes from Mr Simon Bridle, listed in the Daily Fails top hip surgeons. He also has a great website and does not advocate resurfacing.

His response is as follows:

I would be very happy to see you

Surgeons have done a good job and both hip joints are in right place, so joint replacement will be relatively straightforward

If you would like appointment I'm sure Diana can arrange it

Simon

I am very, very pleased with this response, it means Mr Dickens did do a good job, just as we thought, it is really nice to discover this.  I am also pleased he did not turn around and say no straight away.
I have a few more leads to chase and then I will be looking at failure rates of each of the surgeons.  Such a boring thing but needful.

And so it begins.

I have been researching hip replacement surgeons.

I have emailed a guy the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, two more at St Georges and the Hip Unit in London.

Now to wait for a response, crossing my fingers.

Below is the email.

Dear Surgeon of awesomness,

My name is Catherine, I'm a 40 year old woman who was born with severe bilateral hip dislocations.

I am aware I cannot be referred to yourself but would like a recommendation of a consultant who is experienced with adult patients who have had higher instances of surgical intervention for congenital abnormalities.

My left hip was put in to place after two closed inductions and one successful open induction by two years old.

My right hip was set in place after two closed inductions and three/four open inductions. I was six by the successful operation and spent six months in a frog cast when it was finally set.

The result of this late setting is a shallow socket, malformed ball and a 3/4 of an inch leg length difference. I walk with a limp and also am fairly hypermobile, which affects my gait.

I have not visited a consultant for 9 years, the last time was in Australia. His name is Robert Dickens. He has retired from practice but operated many years at the Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne and was the surgeon who finally set the right hip in place. I have attached the last x-ray I have had taken. It was taken in 2006.

I have had a very noticeable decline in my walking, mobility and general well-being of the right hip in the past six months. This includes stiffness, less movement and audible grinding noises when undertaking activities such as tying my shoes. I also can get sharp intermittent pain with simple movements such walking or turning over in bed. This pain does feel like the ball impacting with the socket. This tends to stop me in my tracks and passes with a little time or stretching.

My pain levels have increased significantly with this decline. I am taking ibuprofen regularly, a new thing for me. I have generally managed my pain with physiotherapy, stretching and resting. I also take the strain off it by using a cane but feel this is weakening the surrounding muscles somewhat. I swim twice a week as exercise, but am struggling to walk as far as I used to.

I live in ** and my closet hospital is **. I understand it is early in the process but having lived with a slightly broken body all my life, I don't wish let it get very broken before being fixed.

Do you have a recommendation of a consultant who operates in an area I am able to be referred to? I am more than willing to travel.