Ageism in the NHS: I'm too young to get a new knee

31/01/2008

I am a long time arthritis sufferer. In 2004 I had a hip replacement at the age of 58 years. My knees have been a problem for more than 20 years but as I could walk okay doctors would not do anything about them. Last November my left knee `crashed` leaving me in great pain and unable to walk very far.

 

My doctor requested an urgent hospital appointed which I had on January 16th. The consultant  told me I had `moderate` arthritis and if I was 80 I could have a new knee . Despite my having mobility problems (I can only walk with a stick now) he did not want to do anything preferring to wait and see! I had to beg for further treatment and am now to have an arthroscopy hopefully sometime this year.

 

Last week my knee crashed again and walking has become even more difficult. My doctor has now  received a letter from the consultant stating that I can have a new knee in a few years time. As I have recently retired my new activities have had to be curtailed and I am having to rethink my life as an invalid. I appreciate that new knees have a limited life but is not my quality of life more important than my age?

Carole Hibberd