Sunday 26 February 2012

Waiting for a surgeon


Partly as a consequence of the amalgamation of several previous back and leg injuries  I now have serious problems with my knees, one of which requires replacement.  I have been through various processes in order to attempt to stave off the requirement for surgery but unfortunately to no avail, even though I had high hopes of one of the treatments.  By now I should have had the operation and be well on the way to recovery.

On October 24 I was added to the waiting list and was told that it would be around 18 weeks.  At the pre-operative assessment clinic I informed the nurse that I am very allergic to a chemical used in the joint cement used in joint replacement surgery, explained what happens to me if I come into contact with it (not pretty) and stressed the importance of this information in relation to the surgical intervention.
In due time I received a hospital admission date for the procedure and began to make all the arrangements necessary for the continued smooth running of family life whilst I was in hospital and in the recovery period.   Then on January 25 I got a phone call cancelling the operation because they had "just noticed" that I am allergic to the substance.  All of this despite the fact that I had told them that I am allergic to it 3 months earlier and they had had plenty of time to find either an alternative substance or an alternative surgeon who is confident to perform an uncemented procedure.   I am not a happy bunny and have made my feelings very clear to the hospital at the highest levels.  They are now trying to arrange for another surgeon to undertake the procedure.  Watch this space.

In the meantime if you have ever come into contact with a substance called Ethyl Methacrylate (also known as EMA) or Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and had an unwanted reaction do keep it in mind if you ever need a joint replacement.  If you don't know what that is don't worry - you are not alone.  If however, you have ever had acrylic nails and had a bad skin reaction then you may well be allergic to EMA  or MMA and that is closely connected to the substance used in cemented joint replacements - the substance is actually MMA.  Not many people are aware that there is this connection and therefore would not necessarily think to mention such a reaction prior to surgery  but it is really important to do so and at an early stage.