P.O. Box 6114 Coventry CV3 9GR
024 7661 2681
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Warwickshire Clinics P.O. Box 6114 Coventry CV3 9GR
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Common Questions

Common Questions

What can I do about my back pain?
Simple pain killers and try and keep the back gently moving and most back pain will settle in time. It is important to believe that your back pain is not due to you having anything serious going on and that your back is solid. Be positive about your back and try and stay at work if at all possible. Try and respond to what your back is telling you and avoid activities and positions that are clearly flaring it up. Make sure that you are O.K. taking the pain killers. Gentle movements are really anything you think your back can manage to get the muscles that encase your spine working properly to support and protect your back. Initially you may not be able to manage much. There isn't much evidence that one particular set of exercises is any better than another, the key is to get moving! Physiotherapy will help get you moving and give you advice about your posture. Pilates and Yoga are good examples of the type of exercises to do. A lumbar support for when you are sitting, be it a small pillow or a rolled up towel is worth trying. Good advice can be found in The Back Book (www.tlso.co.uk)
What can I do about my neck pain?
Simple pain killers and try and keep the neck gently moving and most neck pain will settle in time. It is important to believe that your neck pain is not due to you having anything serious going on and that your neck is solid. Be positive about your neck and try and stay at work if at all possible. Try and respond to what your neck is telling you and avoid activities and positions that are clearly flaring it up. Make sure that you are O.K. taking the pain killers. Gentle movements are really anything you think your neck can manage to get the muscles that encase your spine working properly to support and protect your neck. Initially you may not be able to manage much. There isn't much evidence that one particular set of exercises is any better than another, the key is to get moving! Physiotherapy will help get you moving and give you advice about your posture. Pilates and Yoga are good examples of the type of exercises to do. An orthopaedic pillow to support your neck at night is worth trying. Good advice can be found in The Neck Book (www.tlso.co.uk)
When should I see a specialist about my back?

If first line treatments do not appear to be settling the pain it is important to get a specialist opinion. It is important to make sure nothing serious is causing the pain and get reassurance that you are doing the correct things. Any symptoms that are red flag symptoms require an urgent opinion and some require you to go straight to A&E (please go to section on urgent spinal conditions for more information).

Back pain lasting more than six weeks should lead to a consultation.

Can I have an MRI?
An MRI scan is the commonest and best way to see most of the structures of the spine. Unfortunately not everybody can have one. The commonest reason is claustrophobia. Some people with mild claustrophobia manage with a sedative. We do not tend to give people general anaesthetics due to the risks involved and anaesthetic equipment not being allowed to the scanner room. Open MRI scanners are now becoming more prevalent which most people with claustrophobia can manage. Equipment is not allowed in the scanner room due to the fact that the MRI machine contains a very powerful magnet. This is why some patients with metal implants in them cannot have a scan (pacemakers, certain types of heart valve replacements, cochlear implants, metal fragments in the eye etc.). Other types of imaging exist as an alternative.
How much does the consultation and surgery cost?

This depends upon the exact procedure, the hospital and any extras such as implants. The cost of running a medical practice has increased significantly year on year, particularly medical indemnity costs. Unfortunately medical insurance companies have not matched this increase in their reimbursement to surgeons and anaesthetists to allow for this. Therefore there may be a short fall between what the patient can claim from his medical insurance and the surgeons and anaesthetists fees, and this is the patient's responsibility.

Our office will provide a detailed quote on request.

What are the most common insurers we work with?

These are AVIVA, AXA, BUPA, CIGNA, CS Healthcare, Exeter Family Friendly, Police Healthcare Scheme, Vitality Health and WPA.

Common Questions

What are the risks of hip/ knee replacement

The most common complications of hip replacement are infection, in less than 1% of patients, dislocation in up to 3% of cases, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) that occur in 0.6% to 3% of patients.

 

The most frequent complications of knee replacement are infection of the joint, which occurs in 1% of patients, deep vein thrombosis that occurs in up to 15% of patients and is symptomatic in 2–3% and pulmonary embolism that occurs in 0.6% to 3% of patients.

 

The risk of these complications occurring is influenced by a variety of factors such as age, weight, co-morbidities or complexity and duration of the operation.

 

During the consultation I shall take the time to talk to you about these complications and to inform you about the measures I intend to take to minimize the risk of these occurring.

What do I do if I am concerned about the appearance of my wound

Your first port of call should be the ward or the outpatient department at the hospital where you had your surgery where an experienced nurse will assess you and your wound and, if necessary, will get in touch with me.

 

Unless you develop high fever, above 38° C, it is very important that you avoid taking any antibiotics before we have had the opportunity to check your bloods and sometimes aspirate the joint in order to confirm a diagnosis of infection.

 

Many surgical wounds will look inflamed for a few weeks after the operation was performed. 

How long will I stay in hospital after my operation

You are expected to spend between 1 and 3 nights in hospital after a primary hip or knee replacement. You are likely to stay a bit longer if you have both hips or knees done at the same time or if you undergo revision surgery.

When shall I be able to get back on my feet

We aim to get you back on your feet on the same day of your operation. This has many advantages not only psychological but also reduces the risk of some of the most serious postoperative complications such as DVT and PE.

When shall I be able to drive my car

The expectation is that you’ll be able to drive your car at between 4 and 6 weeks after your operation. This will depend on several factors such as the speed of your recovery, whether you drive an automatic car or what side hip or knee did I replace. The final test you need to clear, that you should practice on a stationary car, is whether you can perform an emergency brake. If in doubt and I was not available, you should check with your physiotherapist.

When shall I be able to return to work

If you are in a physical job requiring standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending and/ or squatting, you should take 3 months off work.
In most cases, you should be able to go back to office jobs as soon as you can drive your car to and from work.

How soon can I fly

You should wait for a minimum of 6 weeks after your operation before you travel by plane. Matters such as the duration of the flight, the leg room available and your co-morbidities are relevant issues to discuss with me or with your GP before you get your tickets.

Will I ever be able to return to playing sports and games

The simple answer is YES for most sports. I expect that after a successful operation, whether it is a hip or a knee, you will be able to go back to jogging, cycling, swimming, tennis and even return to more technically demanding sports such as skiing, provided you were a competent skier before your surgery.

What are the most common insurers we work with?

These are AVIVA, AXA, BUPA, CIGNA, CS Healthcare, Exeter Family Friendly, Police Healthcare Scheme, Vitality Health and WPA.