"Total knee replacement left knee"

I had a total knee replacement of my left leg on 28/10/16. Only found out about the surgery in a text alert 12 days prior to my admission date! No admission letter ever received. I arrived early around 7:15am I think and went through all paperwork and consent forms. Was advised to have surgery under spinal block, the anaesthetist was fantastic putting me at ease as I was incredibly worried about that part.

I was also sedated so only remember the last hour of my surgery but was happy to speak to my consultant and ask how the operation was going.

My time in the recovery room was short and it's where I had my IV removed. U was taken to the orthopaedic ward 16 I believe where I had great treatment from all concerned. The nurses were friendly, engaging, understanding and helpful. They provided me with pain killing medication as and when requested without any issue, which was a relief given I was not provided with means to self administer pain relief as stated before my surgery. They couldn't have been any better, so thanks to all of them. The food was also great. I ate every meal provided and enjoyed them greatly. This was not the same at the LRI or the Glenfield Hospitals, when I've been an inpatient there. So a big thanks to the catering staff at Leicester General. Great job. The physios were polite and helpful although a little pushy at the end when they forced my knee past 90 degrees of bend, to ensure I could be discharged. Even though it caused me to cry out in pain and I ended up with tears streaming down my face because of the pain. I said I didn't feel ready to be discharged on that day but was discharged anyway. My wife arrive in the evening to collect me and asked for a porter to wheelchair me to the car as I was unable to walk that far and she has a severe back problem. We were told there were no porters to take me and that my wife would have to try and collect one from the hospital entrance and wheel me herself. That is completely unacceptable to me. As an orthopaedic ward discharging patients there should be a system in place to ensure there are enough wheel chairs and porters needed cover the total number of discharges. Even 1 or 2 porters with two wheelchairs could manage if discharges were staggered. So a big thanks to all the staff who looked after me during my stay. On the whole the service was excellent and the surgery and consultations with my consultant were excellent. So much so that they should be undertaking a total knee replacement on my right knee in approximately 10 weeks time all being well.

I am totally at ease with the thought of my upcoming operation given what happened during my last visit. I am praying that I get the same level of treatment, service and outcome from the surgery as last time.